Daily Current Affairs: 6 March 2026

RN Ravi Appointed Governor of West Bengal, Taranjit Singh Sandhu Appointed Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.

[West Bengal, Delhi]

Key Updates:

• President of India Droupadi Murmu approved a major reshuffle of Governors and Lieutenant Governors across states and Union Territories.
• RN Ravi, former Tamil Nadu Governor, became Governor of West Bengal after CV Ananda Bose resigned.
• Taranjit Singh Sandhu, former Indian Ambassador to the United States, was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
• Shiv Pratap Shukla shifted from Himachal Pradesh Governor to Telangana Governor.
• Jishnu Dev Varma moved from Telangana Governor to Maharashtra Governor.
• Nand Kishore Yadav, former Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker, was appointed Governor of Nagaland.
• Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain was named Governor of Bihar.
• VK Saxena, Delhi Lieutenant Governor, was transferred to Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.
• Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Kerala, was given additional charge as Governor of Tamil Nadu.
• Kavinder Gupta, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, was appointed Governor of Himachal Pradesh.

Nitish Kumar to contest Rajya Sabha elections from Bihar.

[Bihar]

Key Updates:

• Nitish Kumar announced on March 5, 2026, that he will file nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for March 16, 2026.
• Kumar took oath as Chief Minister of Bihar for a record 10th time on November 20, 2025, following the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) victory in the 2025 Assembly elections.
• If elected, Kumar will have served in all four legislative roles: MLA, MLC, Lok Sabha MP, and Rajya Sabha MP.
• The Rajya Sabha elections will fill five vacancies from Bihar arising from the retirement of Harivansh Narayan Singh and Ram Nath Thakur of Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), Prem Chand Gupta and Amarendra Dhari Singh of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and Upendra Kushwaha of Rashtriya Lok Morcha.
• Probable Chief Minister candidates from BJP include Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, Industry Minister Dilip Jaiswal, and Digha MLA Sanjeev Chourasia.
• JD(U) is likely to have two Deputy CMs: Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Nishant Kumar, son of Nitish Kumar.

UN Women (UNW) reports women hold 64% of legal rights of men globally.

Key Updates:

• UN Women (UNW) stated women globally hold 64% of the legal rights afforded to men.
• UN Women (UNW) released the statement ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026.
• In 54% of countries rape is not legally defined on the basis of consent.
• Nearly 75% of countries still allow girls to be legally forced into marriage.
• 44% of countries lack legal requirement for equal remuneration for work of equal value.
• UN Women (UNW) Executive Director Sima Bahous warned that justice systems failing women weaken rule of law.
• Reported cases of sexual violence in conflict settings rose by 87% in the past two years.
• 87% of countries have enacted domestic violence legislation according to the Secretary-General’s report.

Indian Navy ships on standby for HADR operations under Operation Sankalp.

Key Updates:

• Indian Navy ships deployed under Operation Sankalp in the Gulf of Aden and the Gulf of Oman are on standby for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
• Operation Sankalp was initiated in 2019 to safeguard Indian-flagged vessels and ensure maritime security amid rising threats to commercial shipping.
• Two Indian Navy ships, a frigate and a destroyer, are currently deployed for anti-piracy operations and the safety of merchant vessels.
• INS Surat is presently in Bahrain as part of a regional maritime security engagement.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting on March 1, 2026, to review the West Asia conflict and its implications for India.
• The CCS meeting was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Mansukh Mandaviya chairs 239th Central Board of Trustees (CBT) meeting of Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

[Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)]

Key Updates:

• Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Labour and Employment, chaired the 239th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) in New Delhi.
• The CBT recommended an annual interest rate of 8.25% to be credited to EPF accumulations for the financial year 2025-26.
• The government will officially announce the 8.25% interest rate before EPFO credits it into subscribers' accounts.
• The Board approved a one-time amnesty scheme to address compliance issues arising from trusts recognized by income tax.
• New simplified SOP on EPF exemption and updated EPF, EPS, and EDLI schemes aligned with the Code on Social Security, 2020, were approved to enhance efficiency, transparency, and ease of compliance.

L&T Finance Ltd (LTF) launches Spoorthi to extend specialised Home Loan and Loan Against Property to women entrepreneurs.

[L&T Finance Ltd (LTF)]

Key Updates:

• L&T Finance Ltd (LTF) announced Spoorthi on Women’s Day to provide Home Loans and Loan Against Property (LAP) for business expansion and working capital to women entrepreneurs.
• Spoorthi offers extended tenors up to 25 years for Home Loans and LAP, and up to 12 years for Industrial LAP.
• The programme provides enhanced eligibility norms, higher debt-to-income ratios, lower interest rates, and relaxed business vintage requirements.
• Initial rollout covers Mumbai MMR, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.
• Woman borrower must hold at least 50% stake in the business and contribute minimum 50% of total appraised income when clubbed with other borrowers.
• Business must show annual cash profit of at least Rs. 5 Lakhs as per latest Income Tax Return (ITR) and no net loss in the last two years.
• For loans up to Rs. 75 Lakhs, the minimum business vintage requirement is reduced to two years.

Government of Maharashtra Projects 7.9 Per Cent Economic Growth for 2025-26

[Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

• Maharashtra's economy is expected to grow at 7.9 per cent in 2025-26, outpacing the projected national growth rate of 7.4 per cent.
• The nominal Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for 2025-26 is estimated at ₹51 lakh crore, while the real GSDP is projected at ₹28.82 lakh crore.
• The services sector, which accounts for nearly 60 per cent of the total Gross State Value Added (GSVA), is expected to grow by 9 per cent in 2025-26.
• Growth projections for other sectors in 2025-26 include 5.7 per cent for industry and 3.4 per cent for agriculture and allied activities.
• Maharashtra accounted for the highest share of 14 per cent in India's nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during 2024-25.
• The per capita income in the state for 2025-26 is estimated at ₹3,47,903, significantly higher than the national per capita income of ₹2,19,575.
• Maharashtra ranks third in meat production with an 11.6 per cent share, fifth in milk production with a 6.7 per cent share, and seventh in egg production with a 5.5 per cent share in India.
• During the kharif season of 2025-26, production of sugarcane is expected to increase by 22 per cent, cereals by 10.6 per cent, and cotton by 7 per cent.
• The state remained the top destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows between October 2019 and March 2025, securing a 31 per cent share.
• Maharashtra holds the highest share among all states in bank deposits at 22.7 per cent and gross credit at 27.8 per cent.
• The state's revenue receipts for 2025-26 are estimated at ₹5,60,964 crore, while revenue expenditure is projected at ₹6,06,855 crore.
• The unemployment rate in Maharashtra declined to 3.3 per cent in 2023-24, while the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) rose to 59 per cent.

Maharashtra posts 43% GSDP growth 2021-22 to 2024-25, slowest among top four state economies.

[Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

• Maharashtra’s GSDP projected at Rs 42,67,771 crore in 2024-25, highest among all states.
• Maharashtra’s GSDP rose 43% from Rs 29,81,024 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 42,67,771 crore in 2024-25.
• Karnataka recorded fastest growth among top four, GSDP up 65% from Rs 17,02,227 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 28,09,063 crore in 2024-25.
• Gujarat’s GSDP grew 48% from Rs 18,79,826 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 27,90,000 crore in 2024-25.
• Tamil Nadu’s GSDP increased 47% from Rs 21,36,351 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 31,55,096 crore in 2024-25.
• Maharashtra’s 2024-25 GSDP exceeds Tamil Nadu by over Rs 11 lakh crore, Gujarat by over Rs 14 lakh crore, Karnataka by over Rs 15 lakh crore.

U.S. Supreme Court strikes down President Trump's IEEPA-based tariffs exceeding $175 billion.

[United States]

Key Updates:

• The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs exceeded presidential authority.
• Chief Justice John Roberts authored the majority opinion, stating the president must point to clear congressional authorization for such tariff actions.
• The legal challenge was brought by affected businesses and 12 U.S. states, most Democratic-governed, against Trump's unprecedented IEERA tariff use.
• Penn-Wharton Budget Model economists estimated over $175 billion had been collected under IEEPA-based tariffs, now likely requiring refunds.
• IEEPA, a 1977 law traditionally used for sanctions, does not explicitly mention tariffs and was invoked by Trump for the first time to impose import taxes.
• Trump's administration is exploring alternative legal justifications, including national security provisions and retaliatory trade measures, to retain as many tariffs as possible.

Union Minister J P Nadda allocates ₹13,000 crore for Bio-Pharma SHAKTI Mission and three Chemical Parks.

Key Updates:

• Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Shri J P Nadda announced a Budgetary provision of ₹13,000 crore for the Bio-Pharma SHAKTI Mission and three dedicated Chemical Parks.
• ₹10,000 crore of the allocation is earmarked for the Bio-Pharma SHAKTI Mission over the next five years.
• The global pharmaceutical market is expected to have 40% biologics by 2035, with patents worth $300 billion expiring by 2030.
• Securing a 1% share of the global biosimilars market could create an annual opportunity of ₹2 lakh crore for India.
• Plans include developing 1,000 clinical trial sites across the country to expand research and innovation capacity.
• The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) will be strengthened to ensure faster regulatory approvals.
• India’s chemical industry currently generates output worth ₹19.4 lakh crore and holds a 3% global share.
• ₹3,300 crore is allocated for developing three world-class chemical parks aimed at reducing costs by 20–40% through industrial symbiosis.
• The roadmap targets raising India’s global chemical sector share to 5–6% by 2030 and achieving a $1 trillion turnover by 2040.

Controller General of Accounts (CGA) launches Government Bank Dashboard and Government Bank Manual to strengthen compliance and accountability.

Key Updates:

• The Controller General of Accounts (CGA) launched the Government Bank Dashboard and the Government Bank Manual on 27 February 2026.
• The Dashboard and Manual aim to strengthen compliance, reduce risk and enhance accountability in banks handling government business.
• Real-time digital monitoring under the initiative will enable proactive oversight and performance management of government banking transactions.

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) proposes mandatory Ind AS adoption for insurers from April 2026.

[Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)]

Key Updates:

• IRDAI has released a consultation paper proposing mandatory adoption of Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) for all insurers effective April 1, 2026.
• The move would bring life insurers, general insurers, health insurers, and reinsurers under a globally aligned financial reporting framework converged with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• The new standards introduce market-consistent liability valuation, expected credit loss methodology, and different underwriting performance from investment returns.
• IRDAI has been preparing the sector since 2022 through mandatory gap assessments, training programmes, and phased submission of Ind AS-compliant proforma financial statements.
• Most major insurers have already submitted proforma statements for FY 2023–24 and FY 2024–25.
• Stakeholders have until March 24, 2026 to submit feedback to IRDAI.

MeHEALTH app launched by Kerala Health Department to provide nearby public health-care facility information

[Kerala]

Key Updates:

• Kerala Health Department launched the MeHEALTH mobile application to help users access information about nearby public health-care facilities and services.
• Users can view details of nearby hospitals, specialty departments, laboratory tests, test rates, blood banks, paywards, radiology services, and pharmacies.
• The app allows advance booking of appointments in hospitals where the e-Health project is implemented.
• Information on Janakeeya Aarogya Kendrams (formerly subcentres), government homoeopathy hospitals, and Karunya pharmacies is available through the app.
• Users must install the app and log in using their phone number and OTP; linking Aadhaar enables online OP ticket and doctor appointment booking.
• The app shows the exact distance and route to health-care facilities using integrated Google Maps navigation.
• The 'Nearby Services' option displays hospitals within a 10-km radius and allows filtering by specialty, services, ambulances, blood banks, laboratories, paywards, radiology, JAK centres, pharmacies, and homoeopathy clinics.

Andhra Pradesh Population Management Strategy: ₹25,000 Incentive for Second Child

[Andhra Pradesh]

Key Updates:

• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) N. Chandrababu Naidu announced a proposed Population Management Strategy to address the state’s declining fertility rate.
• The state government is considering a financial incentive of ₹25,000 for families at the time of delivery of a second or third child.
• The proposed incentive will be part of a broader support package named Poshan–Shiksha–Suraksha.
• The Poshan–Shiksha–Suraksha package aims to provide nutritional support, education assistance, and healthcare services to families and children.
• The policy framework is designed to sustain the state's workforce, social stability, and economic growth by stabilising fertility levels.

Inland River Lighthouses on Brahmaputra: ₹84 Crore Navigation & Tourism Infrastructure

[Brahmaputra River]

Key Updates:

• Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) laid foundation stones for India’s first inland river lighthouses on Brahmaputra River.
• Four lighthouses will come up at Bogibeel (Dibrugarh), Pandu (Kamrup Metro), Silghat (Nagaon) on the south bank and Biswanath Ghat (Biswanath) on the north bank along National Waterway-2.
• Combined project outlay is approximately ₹84 crore; each 20-metre solar-powered lighthouse will give 14 nautical miles geographical range and 8–10 nautical miles luminous range.
• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) signed on 8 April 2025 for all four sites.
• Every lighthouse complex will house a museum, amphitheatre, cafeteria, children’s play area, souvenir shop and landscaped public spaces to boost tourism.
• Completion target is 24 months from contract award after geotechnical investigation, topographic survey and detailed design.
• Cargo movement on NW-2 rose 53 percent in FY 2024–25, making 24×7 safe navigation critical for Assam’s tea, coal and fertiliser supply chains.

NITI Aayog and UNICEF India sign SOI to improve maternal and child nutrition in aspirational districts and blocks

[NITI Aayog, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)]

Key Updates:

• NITI Aayog and UNICEF India signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) to support strategic interventions in aspirational districts and aspirational blocks.
• The SOI was signed by Rohit Kumar, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme at NITI Aayog, and Arjan de Wagt, Deputy Representative at UNICEF India.
• UNICEF India will provide technical expertise and channel CSR funds into nutrition-focused initiatives through its platform IMPAct4Nutrition (I4N).
• The partnership will focus on strengthening Anganwadi infrastructure, enhancing nutrition literacy, improving uptake of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and building capacity of frontline workers.
• The agreement aims to promote multi-stakeholder engagement and strengthen implementation systems for nutrition and health interventions at the block level.

Census 2027 digital platforms and mascots 'Pragati' and 'Vikas' unveiled

Key Updates:

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah soft-launched four advanced digital platforms and unveiled mascots 'Pragati' and 'Vikas' for Census 2027.
• The digital tools developed by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) integrate satellite imagery, mobile apps, and web portals to streamline enumeration.
• The mascots are a female enumerator 'Pragati' and a male enumerator 'Vikas', symbolising equal participation of men and women in India's goal to become a developed nation by 2047.

Maharashtra Government introduces offline photo upload for e-crop registration

[Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

• The Maharashtra government introduced an offline photo upload facility for the e-crop sowing registration process to address network connectivity and server issues.
• Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule stated that the Digital Crop Survey (DCS) system now allows farmers to click photographs of standing crops without internet connectivity.
• The e-crop registration system has been operational since 2021 and is being strictly implemented from the 2025-26 period.
• Farmers are mandated to complete the e-crop sowing registration within 55 days of sowing.
• The state government aims for 80 per cent of registrations to be completed directly by farmers, while the rest will be facilitated by village-level revenue officials such as talathis and revenue assistants.
• The e-crop system is based on a platform developed by the Central Government.

Saat Nischay-3: 54 Bihar institutions to become Centres of Excellence with ₹320 crore outlay for 2026–27

[Bihar]

Key Updates:

• Bihar Higher Education Department shortlisted 54 colleges to be developed as Centres of Excellence under Saat Nischay–3.
• Each college will specialise as a subject-specific expert centre to improve education quality within Bihar.
• First phase targets 2026–27 and includes Patna Women’s College, Patna Science College, Patna College, Magadh Mahila College, and College of Arts and Crafts.
• Institutions under Patna, Pataliputra, Magadh, Lalit Narayan Mithila, Veer Kunwar Singh, B N Mandal, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar, Jai Prakash, Munger, Purnea, and Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur universities are included.
• Second phase from 2027 to 2030 will cover colleges in Nawada, Arwal, Jehanabad, Buxar, Kaimur, Siwan, Gopalganj, Araria, Kishanganj, and Vaishali.
• Annual budget outlay for 2026–27 is ₹320 crore.
• Degree colleges will also be established in blocks lacking such institutions under Saat Nischay-3.

Karnataka Social Media Ban Policy and ₹4,48,004 Crore State Budget Outlay

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

• The Karnataka government proposed a ban on social media usage for children under the age of 16 in the tech-state to address digital addiction and online safety concerns.
• Chief Minister (CM) Siddaramaiah announced the proposal during the presentation of his 17th state budget in Bengaluru.
• The Karnataka government proposed a total budget outlay of ₹4,48,004 crore for the state's growth and development.
• The budget highlights include a focus on flood relief and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• The ban aims to prevent the adverse effects of increasing mobile phone usage and negative impacts on minors.
• Karnataka Information Technology (IT) Minister Priyanka Kharge indicated that the state is exploring restrictions on social media access for children.
• The Andhra Pradesh government is considering a ban on mobile phone usage in schools, while Goa is examining restrictions for children below 16 years.

Census 2027 (CMMS) approved with ₹11,718 crore outlay for India’s first fully digital headcount

Key Updates:

• The Union Cabinet approved ₹11,718 crore for Census 2027 which will be India’s first fully digital headcount using the Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS).
• CMMS is a dedicated web-based platform that will handle end-to-end Census operations including user creation, training modules, housing listing blocks, allocation of 3.2 million enumerators and supervisors, and near-real-time field monitoring.
• For the first time the Census will include caste enumeration and offer citizens an option for self-enumeration.
• The exercise will run in two phases: house listing and housing census from April to September 2026, followed by population enumeration in February 2027.
• Villages and urban wards will be divided into houselisting blocks (HLBs) each covering 700–800 residents, with boundaries geo-tagged through the HLBC Web Mapping Application to reduce overlaps and omissions.

Gujarat launches herSTART 5.0 to incubate and mentor women-led startups

Key Updates:

• Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the fifth edition of the herSTART programme run by the Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council.
• The herSTART programme provides incubation, mentorship and market access support to women-led startups.
• CM Patel announced that the number of startups in India has risen from fewer than 500 about a decade ago to nearly 2,00,000, with women accounting for a substantial share of participation.
• He highlighted that opportunities are expanding for women in the semiconductor sector, including chip design, fabrication management, semiconductor packaging and deep-technology innovation.
• The Chief Minister inaugurated a newly built research park at Gujarat University and named the university's convention centre as Vidyagauri Nilkanth Sabhapuram.

Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari campaign endorses Aawa Paani Jhoki water conservation drive

Key Updates:

• The Centre's Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari campaign endorses the community-driven 'Aawa Paani Jhoki' movement in Chhattisgarh's Korea district.
• Farmers voluntarily allocated 5% of their land to build small recharge ponds and terraced pits for rainwater harvesting.
• Over 440 traditional ponds have been revived, raising groundwater levels by 3–4 metres in several areas.
• More than 2,000 soak pits have been constructed under the initiative.
• Women volunteers called 'Neer Nayikas' and youth volunteers known as 'Jal Doots' lead education and community engagement activities.
• Over 500 homes have participated through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

Darjeeling Hill Festival showcasing tribal heritage inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu.

Key Updates:

• President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the Darjeeling Hill Festival at the Durbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan in Darjeeling, now renamed Lok Bhavan.
• The festival is curated by experts from the Indian Museum and involves Indian Museum, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), Victoria Memorial Hall, Maulana Abul Kalam Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), Asiatic Society, universities, public institutions, and non-governmental organisations.
• Governor C V Ananda Bose, chairman of the board of trustees at the Indian Museum, conceived the festival.
• The exhibition titled ‘Roots and Rhythm’ will display rare artefacts from Indian Museum’s ethnographic collections representing tribal communities across North-East hills, Central India forests, Eastern India, southern highlands, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• Indian Museum director Sayan Bhattacharya stated that objects include Adi cane helmets, Naga warrior sculptures, Santhal jewellery, Kondh Dokra effigies, Toda embroidered textiles, and Onge wooden vessels.
• A Tribal Art Camp for Darjeeling school students will be organised by Indian Museum, Kolkata to engage youth with indigenous art traditions.

₹12.66 crore Challenge Fund launched to boost women and youth-led rural enterprises.

Key Updates:

• The Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) partnered with TBIS BITS Pilani Hyderabad, T-Hub and Telangana government’s WE Hub to launch the fund.
• The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) backs the fund that will focus on women and youth-led enterprises at the grassroots level.
• The initiative will enable 300 women and young entrepreneurs through institutional support, enterprise formalisation, capability enhancement and scalable growth.

Uttar Pradesh signs Rs 200-crore MoU with RAILONE GmbH to boost rail infrastructure

[Germany, RAILONE GmbH]

Key Updates:

• The Uttar Pradesh government signed a Rs 200-crore MoU with Germany-based RAILONE GmbH during Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s visit to the company’s manufacturing plant in Germany.
• The MoU aims to provide Uttar Pradesh with access to advanced technology, high-quality standards and international expertise in rail infrastructure.
• The initiative targets strengthening connectivity, building a robust transport network and accelerating industrial development in Uttar Pradesh.

Finland President Alexander Stubb arrives in India for State Visit and Raisina Dialogue 2026

[Finland]

Key Updates:

• Finland President Alexander Stubb arrived in New Delhi for a state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and trade.
• The President was received at the airport by the Minister of State for External Affairs K V Singh.
• President Stubb will serve as the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the Raisina Dialogue 2026.
• The visiting dignitary is scheduled to meet with the President of India and Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.
• Discussions between PM Modi and President Stubb will focus on bilateral ties, regional issues, and global matters of mutual interest.
• The Finland President was accorded a ceremonial welcome and a Guard of Honour upon his arrival.

United Nations marks International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness on 5 March 2026

Key Updates:

• The International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness is observed every year on 5 March to promote better awareness and understanding of disarmament issues among the public, especially young people.
• Global military expenditures reached a record $2.7 trillion in 2024.
• An interactive ballot-box installation at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) Rotunda from 2 to 6 March 2026 invites visitors to vote on global spending priorities and reflect on redirecting resources toward education, health, and climate action.
• The UN General Assembly has held three Special Sessions on Disarmament (SSOD) that shaped the disarmament architecture, yet a fourth session remains elusive since 1995.
• The United Nations Secretary-General’s report titled 'The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future' will be discussed in a virtual briefing on 5 March at 10:15 am Nepal Time.
• UNODA Occasional Paper No. 47, 'Revisiting Consensus in Multilateral Disarmament Discussions: Trends, Challenges and the Way Forward', authored by Adedeji Ebo and Katherine Prizeman, will be launched on 5 March at 3 PM EST at the Dag Hammarskjöld Library.
• A second interactive ballot-box installation will be held at Schwedenplatz, Vienna, on 5 March afternoon to engage the public on global spending priorities.
• On 5 March, the UN Regional Center for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) will meet high-school students from the Sacré-Coeur Avépozo Institute in Togo to discuss small arms, light weapons, and autonomous weapons systems.
• On 6 March, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) will meet high-school students from Hiroshima, Japan, to discuss its work on disarmament and peacebuilding.
• Suzuka Nakamura, a Japanese peace activist and third-generation hibakusha from Nagasaki, was selected as one of the UN Youth Office's 17 Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2025-2027.

India urges WTO ministerial for time-bound tech-transfer roadmap to aid developing nations

[World Trade Organization (WTO)]

Key Updates:

• India submitted a draft ministerial declaration asking developed members to facilitate transfer of advanced environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) to developing and least-developed countries (LDCs).
• The declaration cites export controls on inputs such as semiconductor chips and rare earth minerals and rigid intellectual-property regimes as persistent barriers to technology access.
• India requested developed countries to share regional and sector-specific technology needs, experiences, challenges and best practices to cut high access costs and domestic capacity constraints.
• New Delhi proposed a detailed review of technology-transfer provisions in WTO agreements covering TRIPS, agriculture, technical barriers to trade, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
• The text seeks operationalisation of existing TRIPS flexibilities for technology transfer and a time-bound roadmap to be adopted at the forthcoming WTO ministerial meeting later this month.

India hosts inaugural Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative on 5 March 2026

Key Updates:

• The first edition of the Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI) was held on 5 March 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
• The initiative was jointly launched by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF).
• Around 80 scientists, policymakers, diplomats, innovators and scholars from across the world participated in the closed-door event.
• Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood chaired the initiative; co-chairs were Sir Peter Gluckman (International Science Council), Prof. Marilyne Andersen (GESDA) and Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale (BJP Foreign Affairs Department).
• The first roundtable 'Science Diplomacy in the Era of Strategic Autonomy' was chaired by Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary in the PSA Office.
• The second roundtable 'Science Diplomacy and Governance of Disruptive Technologies' was chaired by Prof. Marilyne Andersen.
• ORF President Dr. Samir Saran stated that Raisina SDI aims to become a global platform for developing contemporary frameworks for science diplomacy.
• The initiative is planned as an annual platform to explore science and technology roles in international policy and governance.

India boosts tourism at ITB Berlin 2026 with new partnerships and 10% GDP share goal

Key Updates:

• On 5 March 2026 India held tourism talks with Indonesia and Germany at ITB Berlin 2026 led by Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
• Discussions covered increased tourism flows, air connectivity, sustainable travel and people-to-people ties.
• Shekhawat met UNWTO’s Shaikha Al Nowais to explore sustainable tourism models.
• India launched a 700 sq m Incredible India Pavilion featuring 37 companies and six states showcasing heritage, culture, wellness and wildlife.
• The Ministry of Tourism announced a Netflix partnership to promote Indian destinations through cinematic storytelling and new tourism films.
• The government reiterated its goal to raise tourism’s GDP share from 6% to 10%, emphasised during the 33rd South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange in New Delhi that gathered over 2,000 exhibitors.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to visit India from 27 February to 2 March 2026

Key Updates:

• Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will undertake his first official visit to India from 27 February to 2 March 2026 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• On 27 February, Carney will arrive in Mumbai and participate in business engagements with Indian and Canadian CEOs, industry and financial experts, innovators, educators, and Canadian Pension Funds based in India.
• Carney will arrive in New Delhi on 1 March, followed by delegation-level talks with Modi at Hyderabad House on 2 March.
• The two leaders will review progress under the India–Canada Strategic Partnership and cooperation in trade and investment, energy, critical minerals, agriculture, education, research, innovation, and people-to-people ties.
• Modi and Carney will also attend the India–Canada CEOs Forum on 2 March.
• Relations had soured in 2024 when Canada expelled six Indian officials after then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged credible evidence linking India to the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.

Indian Navy signs contract with Shoft Shipyard for four 500T Self-Propelled Fuel Barges

Key Updates:

• Indian Navy concluded a contract on 02 Mar 2026 with M/s Shoft Shipyard Private Limited, Thane (MSME Shipyard) for construction of 04 X 500T Self Propelled Fuel Barges.
• The barges will be built under the Classification Rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
• Their primary role is replenishment of fuel to ships and submarines in harbour and at anchorage.
• The project supports Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives and aligns with Maritime India Vision 2030.

Sarvam AI launches Sarvam Startup Program to support AI builders in India

Key Updates:

• Sarvam AI announced the Sarvam Startup Program on 5 March 2026 to help early-stage companies build AI-powered products using its models and infrastructure.
• Selected startups receive six to twelve months of API credits scaled to their usage requirements.
• Participants gain access to Sarvam’s Speech-to-Text, Text-to-Speech, Translation, Chat Completion, and Document Intelligence APIs.
• The platform supports more than 22 Indian languages alongside English.
• Startups receive direct engineering support, co-branded case study opportunities, and launch amplification.
• Applications are open through Sarvam’s website.
• Sarvam AI was founded by Vivek Raghavan and Pratyush Kumar.

IBM opens first Infrastructure Innovation Centre in India at India Systems Development Lab (ISDL) campus

Key Updates:

• International Business Machines (IBM) launched its first Infrastructure Innovation Centre named Sangam Infrastructure Innovation Centre housed within the new India Systems Development Lab (ISDL) campus.
• The collaborative engineering hub will unite IBM systems architects and infrastructure specialists from ISDL to co-create AI solutions with clients, Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), Global System Integrators (GSIs), Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and ecosystem partners.
• A recent IBM Institute for Business Value study found 58 per cent of Indian organisations have increased infrastructure investments due to rising AI demand and projected a 19 per cent growth in infrastructure budgets in 2025.
• 43 per cent of organisations are establishing or planning AI Centers of Excellence as enterprises move from experimentation to scaled deployment.

National Green Tribunal (NGT) Directs Reconsideration of Quarry Project Near Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary

Key Updates:

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) set aside the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Tamil Nadu's order rejecting a stone and gravel quarry proposal near the Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary.
• The proposed quarry project is spread over 6.02.5 hectares in Padmanabamangalam village, Srivaikundam taluk, Thoothukudi district.
• The Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation of the blackbuck (Indian antelope), which is a protected species under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
• The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has notified the blackbuck as a scheduled species that requires open grasslands with intermittent bushes for its habitat.
• According to the District Forest Officer (DFO), Thoothukudi, the proposed quarry site is located 1.92 km from the sanctuary and 1.44 km from its Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
• The NGT bench, comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and Dr Prashant Gargava, directed the SEIAA to reconsider the proposal within six weeks and impose appropriate protective conditions for wildlife.
• Research papers cited by the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) indicate that blackbucks are timid animals that can move up to 5 km from the sanctuary for grazing.

Japan becomes first country to approve stem-cell therapies for Parkinson’s disease and severe heart failure.

[Japan]

Key Updates:

• Japan’s health ministry granted manufacturing and marketing approval to Amchepry, Sumitomo Pharma’s iPS cell-based therapy for Parkinson’s disease.
• The ministry also approved ReHeart, heart muscle sheets developed by medical startup Cuorips, to restore heart function in severe heart failure patients.
• Both products are expected to reach patients as early as summer 2026, making them the world’s first commercially available treatments using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
• Amchepry received conditional and time-limited approval under Japan’s fast-track system that relies on smaller patient datasets than standard drug trials.
• A Kyoto University-led trial of Amchepry involved seven Parkinson’s patients aged 50-69 who received five million or ten million iPS-derived dopamine precursor cells implanted bilaterally in the brain.
• During the two-year follow-up no major adverse effects were reported and four of the seven patients showed symptomatic improvement.

Skyroot Aerospace to Launch Vikram-1 Orbital Rocket in April 2026

[Skyroot, Vikram-1]

Key Updates:

• Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian space startup founded in 2018, is scheduled to debut its Vikram-1 orbital launch vehicle in April 2026.
• The Vikram-1 rocket is designed to deliver a payload of approximately 350 kg to Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).
• The company is developing a second vehicle, Vikram-2, which will utilise a cryogenic upper stage to increase payload capacity to 1,100 kg.
• Skyroot Aerospace employs advanced technologies including solid propellant boosters, carbon composites, and 3D printed engines.
• The firm has invested in capital expenditure to establish an in-house production capacity of 12 rockets per year.
• For the 2026 financial year, the company aims to conduct between four and six launches, depending on launch port availability.
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is transitioning operational activities in satellite manufacturing and launching to the private sector under India’s new space policy.
• The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (InSPACe) acts as the regulatory and promotional body for the domestic space sector.
• The Indian government expects to require launches for approximately 100 small satellites over the next five to six years.

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Pratiksha Trust launch Moonshot project on brain co-processors

[Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Pratiksha Trust]

Key Updates:

• Indian Institute of Science (IISc) launched a Moonshot project to develop brain co-processors combining neuromorphic hardware with AI algorithms to enhance or restore brain function.
• The initiative is funded by Pratiksha Trust, founded by Kris Gopalakrishnan and Sudha.
• The project aims to develop implantable and non-invasive brain co-processors that decode neural activity, process signals using AI, and re-encode them via neural stimulation or neurofeedback.
• Devices will support cognitive rehabilitation for stroke survivors who have lost goal-directed reach and grasp functions.
• The project builds on IISc’s Brain, Computation and Data Science programme involving over 20 faculty members.
• Phase 1 will develop and validate a non-invasive neural co-processor for sensorimotor feedback in stroke survivors.
• Phase 2 will focus on a minimally invasive embedded co-processor to restore sensorimotor coordination in chronic stroke patients.
• The team plans to indigenise implant design, hardware systems, and AI software stacks for low-resource clinical settings.
• The project will create India-specific databases of stereo EEG and ECoG recordings and develop open-source AI tools, datasets, and visualisation platforms as digital public goods.

Mudh villagers protect ruddy shelduck breeding site in Ladakh for over 20 years

[Ladakh]

Key Updates:

• Cha Tsogspa, a 12-member group from Mudh village, has monitored ruddy shelducks in Ladakh since 2003.
• The Dalai Lama urged Mudh residents to safeguard the species during his 2003 Ladakh visit.
• Ruddy shelducks breed in Mudh valley from June to August, their only Indian breeding site.
• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the species as “Least Concern”.
• Chicks are escorted from Mudh valley to the Indus river, a journey taking three to six hours.

Chile verified as first country in Americas to eliminate leprosy: WHO

[Chile, World Health Organization (WHO)]

Key Updates:

• Chile is the first country in the Americas and the second worldwide to be verified as having eliminated leprosy by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
• The last locally acquired case of leprosy in Chile was detected in 1993, and no local transmission has been reported for more than 30 years.
• Between 2012 and 2023, Chile reported 47 cases of leprosy, all of which were imported rather than locally transmitted.
• WHO and PAHO have provided free multidrug therapy (MDT) to countries in the Americas, including Chile, since 1995.

Two new moniligastrid earthworm species discovered in Silent Valley National Park

[Silent Valley National Park]

Key Updates:

• Researchers discovered two new moniligastrid earthworm species in Silent Valley National Park, part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) in the Western Ghats.
• The species are Moniligaster girishi and Drawida reynoldsi, belonging to the family Moniligastridae.
• Moniligaster girishi was collected from tropical wet evergreen forest near Chembotti.
• Drawida reynoldsi was collected from montane grassland between Sispara and Anginda.
• Moniligaster girishi is named after P. Girish Kumar, scientist at the Zoological Survey of India’s Western Ghats Regional Centre, Kozhikode.
• Drawida reynoldsi is named after John Warren Reynolds, Canadian earthworm specialist.
• India’s recognised moniligastrid fauna now totals 95 species, with 70 species reported from the Western Ghats.
• Kerala hosts the highest moniligastrid species richness among Western Ghats states, with 30 Drawida and 13 Moniligaster species.
• Nilgiri Hills harbour about 43% (16 species) of Tamil Nadu’s 37 recorded moniligastrid species.
• The discovery is published in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa.

Ahmedabad to host first-ever Cycling League of India

Key Updates:

• The first-ever franchise-based Cycling League of India will be held in Ahmedabad during the second week of November.
• The league will feature eight franchises, with each team comprising 10 cyclists, including two international riders and two junior Indian cyclists.
• The competition will be conducted in three phases, featuring race formats such as criterium races, team time trials, and mass start events.
• The league is being organised in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) and promoter New Horizon Alliance Private Limited.
• Ahmedabad is hosting the league as it prepares for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and bids for the 2036 Olympic Games.
• The 'Sundays on Cycle' initiative, launched in 2024, has recorded participation from over 25 lakh citizens across more than 2.5 lakh locations in India.
• India's notable achievements in the sport include track cyclist Esow Alben winning two individual silver medals at the 2018 junior world championships.

India defeats England to enter record fourth men’s T20 World Cup final

[England]

Key Updates:

• India became the first team to qualify for four men’s T20 World Cup finals after beating England by seven runs in the semifinal at the Wankhede.
• India had previously reached the finals in 2007, 2014 and 2024.
• With this win India became the third team to make successive T20 World Cup finals, after Pakistan (2007 and 2009) and Sri Lanka (2012 and 2014).
• England is the only other team to reach at least three T20 World Cup finals: 2010, 2016 and 2021.
• India will face New Zealand in the final on Sunday in Ahmedabad.

India edges England to reach T20 World Cup 2026 final

[England]

Key Updates:

• India defeated England by 7 runs in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final at Wankhede Stadium.
• India scored 253 for 19 sixes and 18 fours; England replied with 246 for 15 sixes and 21 fours.
• Sanju Samson was named Player of the Match for his 42-ball 89 runs.
• Jacob Bethell hit 105 off 48 balls for England before being run out by Hardik Pandya’s throw.
• Axar Patel took two decisive catches, including a diving catch off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling and a boundary-line relay catch with Shivam Dube.
• India will face New Zealand in the 2026 T20 World Cup final.

Finn Allen slams fastest T20 World Cup century off 33 balls against South Africa

[South Africa]

Key Updates:

• Finn Allen scored 100 not out in 33 balls for New Zealand against South Africa in the first semifinal of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 4 March 2026.
• Allen’s innings included 10 fours and 8 sixes, powering New Zealand to chase 170 in 12.5 overs with one wicket lost.
• He broke Chris Gayle’s 2016 record of a 47-ball century against England in Mumbai.
• Allen became the first batter to score a century in an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup knockout match.
• New Zealand will face the winner of the India-England semifinal in the final on 8 March 2026 at Narendra Modi Stadium.

International Women's Day 2026 observed on March 8 with theme 'Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls'

Key Updates:

• International Women's Day 2026 is observed globally on March 8.
• The United Nations (UN) announced the 2026 theme as 'Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls'.
• The UN officially recognised International Women's Day in 1975.

First-ever export of GI-tagged Karbi Anglong Ginger to London

[Assam, London, Karbi Anglong Ginger]

Key Updates:

• Assam exported 1.2 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Karbi Anglong Ginger to London for the first time.
• Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma flagged the shipment as taking 'Brand Assam to the world'.
• Agriculture Minister Atul Bora flagged off the consignment from Krishi Bhawan, Guwahati.
• The export was facilitated by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in collaboration with NextOn Foods Pvt. Ltd.
• Karbi Anglong Ginger holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its distinctive aroma, fibre content and pungency.

First Mahatma Gandhi bust unveiled in Montana, USA

[United States]

Key Updates:

• Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and Consul General of India in Seattle Prakash Gupta jointly unveiled the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Mike Mansfield Centre of the University of Montana in Missoula.
• The bust is a gift from the Government of India to the state of Montana.
• The Mike Mansfield Centre was founded by an act of US Congress in 1983 to foster globally minded leaders.
• The event was attended by leading Montana state officials, University of Montana faculty and students, and members of the Montana World Affairs Council.
• Students at the University of Montana celebrated Holi later the same evening, marking the first Holi festivities in Montana.
• Bilateral ties between India and Montana have deepened since the establishment of the Indian Consulate in Seattle in November 2023.
• In June 2025, a 10-member delegation of young high-school students from Montana visited India on a two-week cultural immersion programme.
• In January 2025, a 50-member Montana delegation participated in the second Invest India Business Forum in Seattle.
• The Gandhi bust in Montana is the fourth Gandhi statue installed by the Consulate General of India in Seattle in the US Pacific Northwest; others are in Seattle (October 2024), Lincoln, Nebraska (December 2024), and Bellevue Public Library (October 2009).

World Engineering Day 2026 themed 'Smart engineering for a sustainable future through innovation and digitalisation'

Key Updates:

• World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development (WED) 2026 is recognised by UNESCO and delivered by the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO).
• Adani Group has been named the official partner for WED 2026, the first time an Indian organisation has been selected by WFEO for this global platform.
• The Khavda renewable energy project in Gujarat, developed by Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) in collaboration with Adani Energy Solutions and Adani New Industries, is highlighted by WFEO as a defining example of India's energy transition.
• The Khavda plant is being constructed on 538 square kilometres of barren land in the Kutch region, an area five times the size of Paris.
• The project is planned to reach 30 GW capacity by 2029 and is currently the world's largest renewable energy plant under construction.

Hatti Risala procession in Jalna, Maharashtra completed its 138th year during Dhulivandan.

[Jalna, Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

• The Hatti Risala procession in Jalna, Maharashtra, completed its 138th year.
• The procession is held annually on Dhulivandan, the day following Holi.
• A decorated elephant carries symbolic representations of a king and his prime minister.
• Sweets called revdis are distributed from atop the elephant during the procession.
• Revdi is a traditional sweet made primarily from sesame seeds and jaggery.
• Dhulivandan is also known as Rangwali Holi in many parts of India.
• Jalna district is located in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra.
• Residents refrain from playing colours while the procession passes as a mark of respect.

Gas Leak at Bhageria Chemicals in Palghar, Maharashtra

[Palghar]

Key Updates:

• Oleum (fuming sulphuric acid) gas leaked from Bhageria Industries Ltd unit in Boisar MIDC, Palghar, Maharashtra, around 2 pm.
• Over 2,600 people, including 1,600 students from Tarapur Vidyamandir and more than 1,000 workers, were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
• The gas leak affected areas within a five-kilometre radius due to wind velocity.
• Three persons reported minor eye irritation and are receiving medical treatment.
• National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), and Fire Brigade teams used self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and deployed sandbags to suppress fumes.
• Palghar District Collector Dr Indu Rani Jakhar stated the leakage occurred from a 2,500-litre capacity oleum day tank.

World Hearing Day 2026 observed on March 3 with theme 'From communities to classrooms: hearing care for all children'

[World Hearing Day]

Key Updates:

• World Hearing Day is observed annually on March 3.
• The theme for World Hearing Day 2026 is 'From communities to classrooms: hearing care for all children'.
• The date 3/3 was chosen as it represents the design of the two ears, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
• World Hearing Day was initially called 'International Ear Care Day' and was formally established in 2012.
• The WHO first discussed the day during the 1st International Conference on Prevention and Rehabilitation of Hearing Impairment held in Beijing, China, in 2007.
• According to WHO, around 90 million children aged 5-19 years are living with hearing loss.
• WHO states that about 60 per cent of hearing loss cases in children are preventable through simple and cost-effective public health measures.

National Safety Day 2026 observed on March 4 with theme 'Engage, Educate & Empower People to Enhance Safety'

[National Safety Day]

Key Updates:

• National Safety Day 2026 is observed on 4 March.
• The 2026 theme is 'Engage, Educate & Empower People to Enhance Safety'.
• The day commemorates the founding of the National Safety Council (NSC) of India on 4 March 1966.
• National Safety Day was first observed in 1972.
• The campaign has been extended to the entire month as National Safety Month (NSM) in 2026.