📰 Daily Briefing Monday, Mar 09

Daily Current Affairs: 9 March 2026

Analysis for 09 March 2026

Rashmika Mandanna Wins Best Actress Award at Gaddar Awards 2025

Key Updates:

  • Actor Rashmika Mandanna has been selected as the Best Actress for her performance in the romantic drama The Girlfriend.
  • The award was announced by the Government of Telangana as part of the Gaddar Awards for 2025.
  • Mandanna is set to star in an upcoming period action drama titled Ranabaali, directed by Rahul Sankrityan.
  • In the film Ranabaali, Vijay Deverakonda plays the role of a freedom fighter, while Mandanna portrays the character Jayamma.
  • Mandanna and Deverakonda have previously collaborated on the films Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade.
  • The actors held their wedding reception in Hyderabad.

Similar Coverage

Suriya, Dhanush, and Nayanthara Win Tamil Nadu State Film Awards (End of January) ▼
  • The Tamil Nadu government announced the winners of the State Film Awards for the years 2016 to 2022, honouring excellence across 32 categories for actors, filmmakers, and technicians.
  • Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin will present the awards on February 13, 2026, at the Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai.
  • The Best Film (First Prize) winners for the period 2016-2022 are Maanagaram, Aramm, Pariyerum Perumal, Asuran, Koozhangal, Jai Bhim, and Gargi.
  • Best Actor awardees for the seven-year period include Vijay Sethupathi, Karthi, Dhanush, R. Parthiban, Suriya, Arya, and Vikram Prabhu.
  • Best Actress awardees for the period 2016-2022 are Keerthy Suresh, Nayanthara, Jyothika, Manju Warrier, Aparna Balamurali, Lijomol Jose, and Sai Pallavi.
  • Best Director winners include Lokesh Kanagaraj, Pushkar-Gayathri, Mari Selvaraj, R. Parthiban, Sudha Kongara, T.J. Gnanavel, and Gautham Ramachandran.
  • Best Music Director awards were conferred upon Sam C.S., Hip Hop Tamizha, Santhosh Narayanan, Thaman, G.V. Prakash Kumar, Sean Roldan, and A.R. Rahman.
  • Best Supporting Actor winners include R. Parthiban, Bose Venkat (twice), Ameer, Prakash Raj, Karunas, and K. Manikandan.
  • Best Supporting Actress winners include Manisha Yadav, Sunu Lakshmi, Viji Chandrasekhar, Sriranjani, Vadivukkarasi, Raichal Rebecca, and Vasundara Kashyap.
  • Television (TV) serial first prize winners from 2014 to 2022 include Azhagi, Romapuri Pandian, Ramanujar, Nandhini, Poove Poochudava, Sembaruthi, Raasathi, Sundari, and Ethir Neechal.
  • Documentary awardees for the Tamil Nadu Government M.G.R. Film and Television Institute include P. Ram Kumar, S. Kannan, A.K. Kranthi, S. Varun Subbiah, S. Karunakaran, and R. Giridharan.
Laura Wolvaardt wins ICC Women's Player of the Month (Mid of January) ▼
  • South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt has been awarded the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for December.
  • Wolvaardt scored three centuries across formats in the month, including an unbeaten 115 in the opening T20I.
  • She accumulated 255 runs in the ODI series at an average of 127.50 and 137 runs in the T20I series.
Devika Sihag storms into maiden BWF Super 300 final at Thailand Masters 2026 (Start of February) ▼
  • Devika Sihag defeated fifth-seeded Huang Yu-Hsun 22-20, 21-13 in the women’s singles semifinal of the Thailand Masters 2026 in Bangkok.
  • The 20-year-old unseeded Indian will face Malaysia’s Goh Jin Wei in the summit clash.
  • The tournament carries a prize purse of USD 250,000.
Shafali Verma wins ICC Women's Player of the Month for November (Mid of December) ▼
  • Shafali Verma scored 87 off 78 balls in the Women's World Cup final against South Africa.
  • India posted 298 for 7 and won the final by 52 runs in Navi Mumbai.
  • Shafali shared a 104-run opening stand with Smriti Mandhana.
  • Simon Harmer claimed the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for his 17-wicket haul in South Africa's 2-0 Test series win over India.

PM Modi inaugurates India's first operational 'ring metro' in Delhi.

[Delhi]

Key Updates:

  • PM Modi inaugurated the Majlis Park–Maujpur Babarpur section of the Pink Line and the Deepali Chowk–Majlis Park stretch of the Magenta Line.
  • The Pink Line now totals 71.56 km, forming India's first fully operational ring metro encircling large parts of Delhi.
  • Stations on the newly opened Majlis Park–Maujpur Babarpur corridor are Burari, Jharoda Majra, Jagatpur-Wazirabad, Soorghat, Nanaksar-Sonia Vihar, Khajuri Khas, Bhajanpura, Yamuna Vihar and Maujpur-Babarpur.
  • The Deepali Chowk–Majlis Park Magenta Line extension spans about 49 km and includes the elevated stations Madhuban Chowk, Uttar Pitampura–Prashant Vihar, Haiderpur Village, Haiderpur Badli Mor and Bhalswa.
  • PM Modi laid the foundation stone for three Phase V-A corridors: the underground Central Vista corridor (RK Ashram Marg–Indraprastha), the underground Aerocity–IGI Airport Terminal-1 link, and the elevated Tughlakabad–Kalindi Kunj stretch totalling 16.10 km.
  • He inaugurated 2,722 newly built flats and laid the foundation stone for 6,632 additional flats under the General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) redevelopment plan covering Sarojini Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Nauroji Nagar, Kasturba Nagar, Thyagraj Nagar, Sriniwaspuri and Mohammadpur.
  • The overall infrastructure and housing projects launched are valued at about ₹33,500 crore, with over ₹18,300 crore for the two metro corridors.

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Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor fully operationalised on 22 February 2026 (End of February) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the full 82.15 km Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor on 22 February 2026 at Rally Ground, Mohiuddinpur, Meerut.
  • The corridor runs from Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to Modipuram in Meerut and covers the distance in approximately 55 minutes.
  • The project was built at an estimated cost of over ₹30,000 crore and comprises about 70 km of elevated track and 12 km underground.
  • Meerut Metro, also flagged off on the same day, runs 23 km between Meerut South and Modipuram with 13 stations and a top speed of 120 km per hour.
  • Meerut Metro has an integrated ticketing system allowing passengers to use the same ticket for both Namo Bharat and metro services within the city.
Delhi Metro Magenta Line Extension approved under Phase V(A) to become NCR’s longest corridor with 21 interchange stations. (Mid of February) ▼
  • Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) stated that Phase V(A) extension of Magenta Line from Ramakrishna Ashram Marg to Indraprastha via Central Vista was approved on 24 December 2025.
  • The extended Magenta Line will run 89 km from Botanical Garden to Inderlok, making it the longest corridor in the Delhi Metro network.
  • The corridor will have 65 stations in total, including 40 underground stations.
  • Upon completion, the Magenta Line will have 21 interchange stations, up from the current four operational interchange stations: Kalkaji Mandir, Botanical Garden, Janakpuri West, and Hauz Khas.
  • Triple interchange stations on the extended Magenta Line will be Central Secretariat, Azadpur, New Delhi, and Inderlok.
  • DMRC announced that the entire Magenta Line will operate as a driverless metro corridor once fully operational.
PM Modi rolls out ₹16,686 crore infra push in Rajasthan (Start of March) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ajmer, Rajasthan on 28 February 2026 and launched 43 projects worth ₹16,686 crore across urban development, drinking water, roads, railways, irrigation, energy and industrial infrastructure.
  • 34 state projects worth ₹8,554 crore cover urban development, public health engineering, public works, energy, water resources and industries departments.
  • Nine national highway and energy projects worth ₹8,132 crore include two foundation stones and seven inaugurations.
  • National highway works worth over ₹4,516 crore comprise the four-lane greenfield Bandikui–Jaipur expressway (₹1,207 crore), eight-lane carriageway from NH-76 junction to NH-12 at Ummedpura village under Delhi-Vadodara Access Controlled Greenfield Expressway Package 14, and statewide highway widening.
  • Urban road projects include the Sanganer Flyover to Malpura Gate elevated road in Jaipur (₹286 crore) and the Mahamandir to Akhaliya Chauraha four-lane elevated road in Jodhpur (₹1,243 crore).
  • Malbamori–Mangrol–Baran State Highway in Baran district is estimated at ₹322 crore.
  • Drinking water initiatives comprise four packages of the Nonera Major Drinking Water Project (₹1,021 crore) and five packages of the Parwan Akawad Major Drinking Water Project (₹2,247 crore).
  • A ₹3,616 crore transmission system for renewable energy evacuation and foundation stones for five 220 kV and two 400 kV grid substations were launched.
  • Infrastructure and drinking water works in the Jodhpur Pali Marwar Industrial Area were initiated.
  • Appointment letters were distributed to 21,863 selected candidates including 3,320 Patwaris, 2,291 contractual Junior Technical Assistants and Account Assistants, 2,590 Livestock Assistants, 3,822 Community Health Officers, and 7,357 Public Health Care Nurses, Medical Lab Technicians, Lab Technicians, Nursing In-charges, Nursing Trainers, Nurses and Nurse Grade-II.
  • PM Modi also launched the HPV vaccination drive for girls aged 9–14 to prevent cervical cancer.
PM Modi flagged off four new trains including three Amrit Bharat Express in Kerala on 23 January 2026. (End of January) ▼
  • PM Modi visited Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on 23 January 2026 and flagged off three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train from Putharikandam Grounds.
  • The three new Amrit Bharat Express services were Thiruvananthapuram Central–Tambaram, Thiruvananthapuram North–Charlapalli, and Nagercoil Jn–Mangaluru Jn.
  • A passenger train was introduced between Thrissur and Guruvayur.
  • All four trains were operated and maintained by the Southern Railway (SR) zone.
  • Amrit Bharat Express trains aimed to provide affordable, safe, and reliable long-distance travel for lower and lower-middle income passengers and to strengthen inter-state connectivity across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

RM Nachammai becomes first woman Chief Superintendent of functional Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) nuclear plant.

[Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd]

Key Updates:

  • RM Nachammai assumed charge as Chief Superintendent of Kaiga Generating Station Units 3 and 4 effective March 15.
  • She is the first woman to head operations of a functional NPCIL nuclear power plant.
  • Nachammai joined NPCIL in 1991 and has over 35 years of experience in nuclear power plant operations.
  • She received the Vikram Sarabhai Award for topping the second batch of NPCIL engineer trainees.
  • Nachammai was awarded the NPCIL Special Contribution Award in 2010, 2014, and 2017.
  • Kaiga Nuclear Power Station currently operates four 220 MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors with a total installed capacity of 880 MW.
  • NPCIL employs nearly 10,000 people, of whom about 900 are women.

Similar Coverage

Shri A. K. Balasubrahmanian took over charge as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) (Start of January) ▼
  • Shri A. K. Balasubrahmanian took over charge as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) on January 01, 2026.
  • He succeeded the outgoing Chairman, Dr. D. K. Shukla.
  • Before joining AERB, he served as Chairman of the Project Design Safety Committee for Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR)–based Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) and as a Member of the Safety Review Committee for Operating Plants of AERB.
  • He has earlier served as Director (Technical) on the Board of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
  • He is a mechanical engineer with training in nuclear engineering and is a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (FNAE).
  • He has nearly 40 years of experience in the design, development, safety assessment, construction, and commissioning of Nuclear Power Plants.
  • The AERB was constituted on November 15, 1983, by the President of India under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
Harsharan Kaur Trehan became Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) Director (Commercial). (End of February) ▼
  • Harsharan Kaur Trehan assumed charge as Director (Commercial) of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) on 21 February 2026.
  • She is the first woman technocrat to reach board level in PSPCL.
  • Her appointment order was issued on 20 February 2026 by Basant Garg, Secretary, Power, Punjab Government, for a two-year tenure.
  • Trehan had earlier become the first woman Engineer-in-Chief of PSPCL in May 2021 and retired from that post in October 2022.
  • She joined the erstwhile Punjab State Electricity Board as an Assistant Engineer in 1987 after graduating from Delhi College of Engineering.
Nivedita Dubey assumes charge as Member (HR) at Airports Authority of India (AAI). (Start of February) ▼
  • Nivedita Dubey assumed charge as Member (Human Resources) at the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
  • She became the first woman to serve on the Board of AAI.
  • Her previous role within AAI was Regional Executive Director for the Eastern Region.
  • She brings over 30 years of experience spanning airport operations, administration, and people management.
Niigata Local Government Approves Restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant (End of December) ▼
  • The partial restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, the world’s largest nuclear power facility, received approval in a vote by the Niigata local government.
  • Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is the first plant to be operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) since the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
  • The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) estimates that reactivating the first of seven reactors could boost the electricity supply to the Tokyo area by 2 percent.
  • Japan spent 10.7 trillion yen ($68bn) last year on imported liquefied natural gas and coal, representing one-tenth of its total import costs.
  • Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has backed the reopening of nuclear facilities to strengthen energy security and reduce reliance on fossil fuels that contribute to climate change.

Chiranjeevi Received NTR National Film Award at Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2025

Key Updates:

  • Megastar Chiranjeevi was conferred with the NTR National Film Award at the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2025.
  • The award was presented by the Government of Telangana, with the actor acknowledging Chief Minister (CM) Revanth Anumula and Bhatti Mallu.
  • The NTR National Film Award is named in honour of the legendary Telugu cinema figure, N. T. Rama Rao (NTR).
  • Chiranjeevi was previously honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2006 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2024.
  • Other major winners at the ceremony included Naga Chaitanya, who was named Best Actor, and Rashmika Mandanna, who was named Best Actress.
  • The actor's recent work includes the hit film Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, and his upcoming projects include the socio-fantasy film Vishwambhara and a project with director Srikanth Odela.

Similar Coverage

Suriya, Dhanush, and Nayanthara Win Tamil Nadu State Film Awards (End of January) ▼
  • The Tamil Nadu government announced the winners of the State Film Awards for the years 2016 to 2022, honouring excellence across 32 categories for actors, filmmakers, and technicians.
  • Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin will present the awards on February 13, 2026, at the Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai.
  • The Best Film (First Prize) winners for the period 2016-2022 are Maanagaram, Aramm, Pariyerum Perumal, Asuran, Koozhangal, Jai Bhim, and Gargi.
  • Best Actor awardees for the seven-year period include Vijay Sethupathi, Karthi, Dhanush, R. Parthiban, Suriya, Arya, and Vikram Prabhu.
  • Best Actress awardees for the period 2016-2022 are Keerthy Suresh, Nayanthara, Jyothika, Manju Warrier, Aparna Balamurali, Lijomol Jose, and Sai Pallavi.
  • Best Director winners include Lokesh Kanagaraj, Pushkar-Gayathri, Mari Selvaraj, R. Parthiban, Sudha Kongara, T.J. Gnanavel, and Gautham Ramachandran.
  • Best Music Director awards were conferred upon Sam C.S., Hip Hop Tamizha, Santhosh Narayanan, Thaman, G.V. Prakash Kumar, Sean Roldan, and A.R. Rahman.
  • Best Supporting Actor winners include R. Parthiban, Bose Venkat (twice), Ameer, Prakash Raj, Karunas, and K. Manikandan.
  • Best Supporting Actress winners include Manisha Yadav, Sunu Lakshmi, Viji Chandrasekhar, Sriranjani, Vadivukkarasi, Raichal Rebecca, and Vasundara Kashyap.
  • Television (TV) serial first prize winners from 2014 to 2022 include Azhagi, Romapuri Pandian, Ramanujar, Nandhini, Poove Poochudava, Sembaruthi, Raasathi, Sundari, and Ethir Neechal.
  • Documentary awardees for the Tamil Nadu Government M.G.R. Film and Television Institute include P. Ram Kumar, S. Kannan, A.K. Kranthi, S. Varun Subbiah, S. Karunakaran, and R. Giridharan.
98th Academy Awards nominations announcement on January 22 (Start of January) ▼
  • Five Indian films, including Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1, Sister Midnight, Mahavatar Narsimha, Tanvi the Great, and Tourist Family, have secured eligibility for the Best Picture category at the 98th Academy Awards.
  • Neeraj Ghaywan’s film Homebound is India’s official submission and has been shortlisted among the top 15 finalists in the Best International Feature category.
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) requires films to complete the confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry (RAISE) form to meet eligibility requirements for the Best Picture race.
  • Final nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on January 22, with 10 nominees selected for Best Picture and five for other categories.
  • Bollywood actor Dharmendra (1935-2025), widely known as the 'He-Man' of Indian cinema, passed away.
Homebound shortlisted for Best International Feature at Oscars 2026 (Mid of December) ▼
  • Homebound became only the fifth Indian film to make it to the shortlist of the Best International Feature category at the Academy Awards.
  • It competed with 86 films from around the globe to make it to the top 15 in the shortlist.
  • Only three Indian films — Mother India (1957), Salaam Bombay! (1988), and Lagaan (2001) — previously reached the final five nominations in the same category.
  • Pan Nalin’s 2021 Gujarati film Last Film Show is the only Indian entry that made the shortlist but did not advance to the final nominations.
CSIR-NIIST and NTPC-NETRA clinch maiden DV Kapur Energy Innovation Awards (Mid of December) ▼
  • CSIR-NIIST Principal Scientist Dr Achu Chandran won Category 1 for his ‘Nano Electricity Generator’ research.
  • NTPC R&D wing NETRA bagged Category 2 for advancing ‘Green Use of Coal Technologies’.
  • Category 1 carried a cash prize of Rs 1 Lakh while Category 2 carried Rs 10 Lakhs.

Corey Parker, Will & Grace Actor and Acting Coach, Dies at 60 After Battle with Stage 4 Cancer.

Key Updates:

  • Corey Parker passed away on 5 March 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee at the age of 60.
  • He was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic adenocarcinoma after hip replacement surgery.
  • Parker played Josh, the environmentally conscious boyfriend of Grace Adler, in the sitcom Will & Grace.
  • He began acting at age five and later trained with instructors connected to the Actors Studio at 14.
  • Parker graduated from Manhattan’s High School of Performing Arts and started coaching actors in 2000.
  • His final acting works were the 2017 television series Sun Records and the short film Winding Brook.

Similar Coverage

Eric Dane dies at 53 after Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis. (End of February) ▼
  • Eric Dane passed away following a battle with ALS.
  • He was 53 years old at the time of his death.
  • Dane publicly revealed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025.
  • He was best known for playing Dr Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy and Cal Jacobs on Euphoria.
  • He joined the board of Target ALS in December and helped one of its campaigns exceed a $500,000 fundraising target.
  • Time magazine named him one of its 100 most influential people in health for his ALS advocacy.
Sophie Kinsella, bestselling author, passed away at 55 (Mid of December) ▼
  • Sophie Kinsella, the bestselling author behind the Shopaholic series, passed away at 55.
  • She died after battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
  • Kinsella was diagnosed with glioblastoma at the end of 2022.
  • More than 50 million copies of her books have been sold across 60 countries.
  • Her 2024 novella What Does It Feel Like? was inspired by her cancer journey.
James Van Der Beek dies at 48 after colorectal cancer diagnosis. (Mid of February) ▼
  • James Van Der Beek passed away at the age of 48, as confirmed by his publicist Whitney Tancred and announced by his wife Kimberly on Instagram.
  • He was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in November 2024 and had auctioned career items to help pay for treatment.
  • Van Der Beek rose to fame as Dawson Leery on 'Dawson's Creek' (1998–2003) and starred in the 1999 film 'Varsity Blues'.
  • He married Kimberly Brook in 2010 and they have six children together.
  • An online fundraiser had pledged almost $1.3 million to his family as of Thursday morning.
Gil Gerard died at 82 (Mid of December) ▼
  • Gil Gerard played television’s sci-fi hero William “Buck” Rogers in NBC’s “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.”
  • He died in hospice as a result of a rare, aggressive form of cancer.
  • He was featured in a number of other TV shows and movies, including starring roles in the 1982 TV movie “Hear No Evil” and the short-lived “Sidekicks” in 1986.

Dr Jitendra Singh reviewed Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion project in Lakshadweep.

[Lakshadweep]

Key Updates:

  • Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for Earth Sciences and Science & Technology, visited Kavaratti in Lakshadweep to review the OTEC-based desalination facility.
  • The project harnesses the temperature gradient between warm surface seawater and cold deep-sea water to generate electricity for seawater desalination.
  • The facility aims to provide sustainable freshwater supply and reduce reliance on diesel-powered desalination plants in Lakshadweep.
  • The reviewed components included the seawater intake system, deep-sea cold-water pipeline, turbine-generator unit, and desalination modules.
  • An offshore OTEC demonstration project is planned under India’s Deep Ocean Mission to advance ocean-based energy technologies.

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World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India launches Goa's first biodiversity and cultural map (Mid of February) ▼
  • World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India has developed the first biodiversity and cultural features map of Goa to be used as an educational tool in schools.
  • The map features 48 commonly found species in Goa, covering birds, mammals, reptiles, sea animals, mangroves, and insects.
  • Cultural aspects represented on the map include Kaavi art, the dressing of Kunbi women, the folk dance of Ghoddemodni, and the practice of crocodile worship known as manngetapnni.
  • The map was created by artist Sudarshan Shaw using a folk indica art style to interest students.
  • The initiative is integrated with the National Education Policy (NEP), under which WWF has trained approximately 450 teachers in government and government-aided schools starting from Class VI.
  • The map was released by Stephen Alter at the Goa Art and Literature Festival.
Madhav Gadgil passes away, recipient of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Champions of the Earth award (Start of January) ▼
  • Madhav Gadgil chaired the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), later known as the Gadgil Commission.
  • He was a key architect of India’s Biological Diversity Act and contributed to the implementation of the Forest Rights Act.
  • Gadgil established India’s first biosphere reserve, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, in 1986.
  • In 2024, he was named a laureate of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Champions of the Earth award.
All-India Tiger Estimation-2026 kicks off in Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Start of January) ▼
  • The first phase of All-India Tiger Estimation-2026 commenced in Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary under Erode Forest Division.
  • Census teams are using the line transect method to record pugmarks, animal droppings, and direct sightings.
  • Wildlife species enumerated include tigers, leopards, gaur, elephants, and bears.
  • Large herbivores such as elephants, gaur, and deer will be enumerated in the subsequent three days.
  • Scavenging birds like vultures and vegetation details including tree species, grass varieties, weeds, shrubs, and undergrowth are also documented.
  • Field-level survey data will be compiled and submitted to the National Tiger Conservation Authority by January 31.
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovers new Diplura hexapod species Lepidocampa sikkimensis in eastern Himalayas (Mid of February) ▼
  • The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) identified the new Diplura species Lepidocampa sikkimensis near Ravangla in Sikkim.
  • Additional specimens of Lepidocampa sikkimensis were later found in Kurseong in Bengal.
  • The findings were published on 7 January 2026 in the international taxonomic journal Zootaxa.
  • The study provides the first DNA barcode data for an Indian Lepidodcampa species.
  • The research team rediscovered the rare sub-species Lepidocampa juradii bengalensis after nearly five decades.

Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth appointed as Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS).

Key Updates:

  • Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth will move from General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Command, Pune, to Army Headquarters as Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) from 1 April.
  • Lt Gen P.P. Singh, currently Vice Chief of Army Staff, will take over as Western Army Commander at Chandimandir, succeeding Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar.
  • Lt Gen V.M.B. Krishnan, presently Quartermaster General at Army Headquarters, will assume charge as Eastern Army Commander in Kolkata from 1 April, succeeding Lt Gen Ram Chander Tiwari.
  • Lt Gen Sandeep Jain, now Chief of Staff at Southern Command, will be promoted to Southern Army Commander in Pune, replacing Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth.

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Lt Gen Pushpendra Pal Singh to assume charge as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Western Command. (Start of March) ▼
  • Lt Gen Pushpendra Pal Singh will take over as GOC-in-C of Western Command at Chandimandir at month-end upon the retirement of Lt Gen M K Katiyar.
  • He is currently serving as Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS) since 31 July 2025.
  • He was commissioned into the 4th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment on 19 December 1987.
  • He has participated in Operation Pawan (Sri Lanka), Operation Meghdoot (Siachen Glacier), Operation Rakshak (counter-insurgency) and Operation Orchid.
  • He commanded a Special Forces Unit in the Kashmir Valley and along the Line of Control, an Infantry Brigade, a Mountain Division along the Line of Actual Control, and 9 Corps at Yol, Himachal Pradesh.
  • He has served as Chief of Staff, Central Command and Director General, Operational Logistics & Strategic Movement at Army Headquarters.
  • He is an alumnus of La Martiniere College, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
B.P. Singh assumes charge as Director General of Naval Armament (DGONA). (Start of March) ▼
  • B.P. Singh took over as Director General of Naval Armament (DGONA) at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi, on 1 March 2026.
  • He succeeded Divakar Jayant, who superannuated on 28 February 2026.
  • Singh is a 1994-batch officer of the Indian Naval Armament Service (INAS).
  • He previously served as Chief General Manager at Naval Armament Depot (NAD), Mumbai.
  • Singh is a Mechanical Engineering graduate of National Institute of Technology Patna and an alumnus of the National Defence College.
Divakar Jayant assumed charge as Director General of Naval Armament (DGONA) at Naval Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (MoD). (Start of February) ▼
  • Divakar Jayant, a 1991-batch Indian Naval Armament Service (INAS) officer, took over as DGONA on 2 February 2026.
  • He succeeded P. Upadhyay, who superannuated on 31 January 2026.
  • Jayant joined the Naval Armament Organisation of the Indian Navy on 28 December 1992.
  • He is an Electrical Engineering graduate from IIT Delhi and specialises in torpedo life-cycle management.
  • He has served as Chief General Manager and General Manager/Principal Director at Naval Armament Depots in Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, and Alwaye.
M Anitha (IRS) appointed Director in Department of Defence. (Start of February) ▼
  • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of M Anitha, IRS (Income Tax: 2007), as Director in the Department of Defence under the Central Staffing Scheme.
  • The Civil Services Board (CSB) recommended her lateral shift from the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), where she is currently Director.
  • Her tenure in the Department of Defence will last up to 26 September 2026, the balance period of her five-year deputation at the Director level, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
  • The appointment takes effect from the date she assumes charge of the post.

State Bank of India (SBI) launches $500 million syndicated social loan for women empowerment

[State Bank of India (SBI)]

Key Updates:

  • State Bank of India (SBI) announced a $500 million syndicated social term loan facility focused exclusively on women’s economic empowerment.
  • The facility includes a greenshoe option and was launched ahead of International Women’s Day.
  • SBI stated the transaction supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Achieve Gender Equality and Empower all Women and Girls.
  • SBI Chairman C S Setty said the loan reflects the bank’s commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles and creating opportunities for women.
  • SBI noted the facility is expected to become the largest gender-themed loan globally by an Indian financial institution.

Similar Coverage

State Bank of India (SBI) signs €150-million credit line with KfW for green energy projects (Mid of December) ▼
  • State Bank of India (SBI) will sign a €150 million credit line with KfW, the German development bank, for financing climate-friendly energy generation projects.
  • The agreement is scheduled to be signed on December 16, 2025, at the KfW headquarters in Frankfurt.
  • SBI reported a 3% year-on-year increase in Net Interest Income (NII) to ₹42,985 crore for the quarter ended September.
  • The net profit of SBI for the September quarter increased by 10% year-on-year to ₹20,160 crore.
  • The shares of SBI have gained 21.91% in the past six months and 21.8% in the year so far.
L&T Finance Ltd (LTF) launches Spoorthi to extend specialised Home Loan and Loan Against Property to women entrepreneurs. (Start of March) ▼
  • 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.
SHE Marts: Community-owned retail outlets for women SHG entrepreneurs announced in Budget 2026 (Start of February) ▼
  • Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced setting up of community-owned retail outlets named 'Self Help Entrepreneur - SHE Marts' for women SHG members.
  • SHE Marts will function within cluster-level federations and be supported through enhanced and innovative finance instruments.
  • The initiative builds on the Lakhpati Didi scheme, which has enabled over two crore women SHG members to reach an annual household income of ₹1 lakh.
  • The Rural Development Ministry (RD Ministry) targets three crore women SHG members achieving ₹1 lakh annual income by 2027.

Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satikar Yojana: Rs 9,300 crore for monthly cash to 97% of Punjab women

Key Updates:

  • Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented Punjab Budget 2026-27 on International Women’s Day and announced Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satikar Yojana with an outlay of Rs 9,300 crore.
  • The scheme provides Rs 1,500 per month to Scheduled Caste women and Rs 1,000 per month to other adult women, directly transferred to their bank accounts.
  • Eligibility covers every woman above 18 years in Punjab except existing or past permanent government employees, existing and past MPs/MLAs and income-tax payees, making around 97% of adult women eligible.
  • Women already enrolled in old-age, widow/destitute or disability pensions will also be eligible under this scheme.
  • The budget earmarks Rs 18,304 crore for women empowerment and social welfare schemes, a 96% increase over the previous year.

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Haryana Government unveils ₹2.23 lakh crore budget for 2026-27 with Agniveer quota and new agri power discom. (Start of March) ▼
  • Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini presented a ₹2.23 lakh crore budget for fiscal year 2026-27 in the state assembly.
  • Debt servicing consumes 29.2% of total outlay, with interest payments at ₹29,266.62 crore and public debt repayment at ₹36,101.68 crore.
  • Education and sports receive ₹23,603.69 crore, health ₹14,007.28 crore, social justice ₹17,250.72 crore, development & panchayats ₹8,703.74 crore, and home ₹8,475.01 crore.
  • Government will establish Haryana Agri Discom, a third power distribution company dedicated to the agriculture sector to supply uninterrupted electricity to over 7 lakh farmers.
  • 20% reservation for Agniveers in Haryana Police announced alongside a special recruitment drive for 1,300 personnel.
  • ₹100 crore allocated for the new Haryana Green Climate Resilience Fund.
  • World Bank approves ₹2,716 crore for the Haryana Clean Air Project.
  • Adarsh Pariksha Kendra to be set up under public-private partnership model.
  • Anti-terrorist squad (ATS) to be created under an IG-rank police officer.
  • HSIIDC will develop ‘Wedding City’ projects in Gurugram, Kharkhoda and Pinjore.
  • Modern film city to be established at Pinjore.
  • Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex, Daulatabad, upgraded to Haryana’s first Para Sports Stadium.
  • Revenue deficit projected at ₹4,293.17 crore, 2.65% of state GDP.
  • State’s share in central taxes set at 1.361% for 2026-31 per 16th Finance Commission recommendations.
Maharashtra Budget 2026-27: Crop loan waiver up to ₹2 lakh and Ladki Bahin Yojana to continue (Start of March) ▼
  • Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presented the state Budget 2026-27, becoming the first CM to do so.
  • Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karjmafi Yojna will waive crop loans up to ₹2 lakh for farmers with arrears up to September 2025.
  • Farmers who are regular in loan repayments will receive a ₹50,000 incentive under the scheme.
  • Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana for women will continue with adequate government funding.
  • The budget aims to make Maharashtra a $5 trillion economy by 2047.
  • A memorial will be built for late NCP leader and former Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who died in an air crash near Baramati in January.
  • Concrete roads will be provided in villages with a population of over 1,000.
Punjab launches 'Meri Rasoi' scheme to provide quarterly food kits to 40 lakh families (End of February) ▼
  • Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the 'Meri Rasoi' scheme for 40 lakh families registered under the National Food Security Act.
  • The scheme will distribute essential food kits quarterly through Markfed and the Department of Food and Civil Supplies.
  • Each kit will contain pulses, sugar, iodised salt, turmeric, and mustard oil to address nutritional gaps beyond subsidised wheat.
  • The first distribution round is scheduled for April with quality control measures in place.
India slashes Chabahar Port aid to zero in Union Budget 2026-27 (Start of February) ▼
  • Union Budget 2026-27 allocated ₹0 to Iran’s Chabahar Port, down from ₹400 crore in FY 2024-25 and ₹100 crore initially in FY 2025-26.
  • US sanctions on Iran and a potential 25% tariff warning from the Trump administration influenced the funding pause.
  • India holds a six-month US exemption for Chabahar Port participation ending 26 April 2026.
  • Bhutan remains the largest aid recipient at ₹2,288 crore in Budget 2026-27.
  • Bangladesh’s allocation dropped to ₹60 crore in Budget 2026-27 after being revised to ₹34 crore in FY 2025-26.
  • Maldives received ₹550 crore, Sri Lanka ₹400 crore, Nepal ₹800 crore, Myanmar ₹300 crore, Afghanistan ₹150 crore, Mongolia ₹25 crore, African countries ₹225 crore, Mauritius ₹550 crore, and Seychelles ₹19 crore under Aid to Countries in Budget 2026-27.
  • Total Aid to Countries outlay for FY 2026-27 is ₹5,686 crore, about 4% higher than FY 2025-26 Budget Estimates of ₹5,483 crore.

Green Ammonia and Green Methanol Standards notified under National Green Hydrogen Mission

Key Updates:

  • Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) notified Green Ammonia and Green Methanol Standards on 27 February 2026.
  • Green Ammonia must have total non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions not exceeding 0.38 kg CO₂ eq/kg NH₃ averaged over 12 months.
  • Green Methanol must have total non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions not exceeding 0.44 kg CO₂ eq/kg CH₃OH averaged over 12 months.
  • Carbon dioxide for Green Methanol may come from biogenic sources, Direct Air Capture, or existing industrial sources.
  • Renewable electricity used in production may be stored or banked with the grid as per regulations.
  • MNRE will issue separate rules for measurement, reporting, monitoring, verification, and certification.
  • Standards aim to decarbonise fertilisers, shipping, power, and heavy industry while boosting India’s green fuel exports.

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India–Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme and University of Groningen–19 IITs MoU launched (Start of February) ▼
  • Department of Science and Technology (DST) released the Scheme Guidelines and Call for Proposals for the India–Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme.
  • The fellowship is open to Indian doctoral researchers, postdoctoral scholars and faculty members across institutions.
  • University of Groningen signed an MoU with 19 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) for cooperation in hydrogen and green energy research.
  • The MoU enables faculty and student exchange, joint research programmes and knowledge sharing without automatic financial commitments.
  • The initiatives support India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, Energy Independence 2047 vision and Net-Zero 2070 objectives.
NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) and Assago Industries sign MoU for India’s first large-scale green urea ecosystem at Pudimadaka hub (Start of February) ▼
  • NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) and Assago Industries Pvt. Ltd. signed an MoU to develop India’s first large-scale green urea production ecosystem at the upcoming Green Hydrogen Hub in Pudimadaka.
  • NGEL will supply green ammonia, captured CO₂, renewable power and utilities to Assago for producing green urea using clean feedstock.
  • The Pudimadaka Green Hydrogen Hub is planned with a capacity of 2.5 million tonnes per annum of green chemicals, including green methanol, green ammonia, sustainable aviation fuel and green urea.
  • India consumes about 35–40 million tonnes of urea annually and imports 8–10 million tonnes each year.
  • The collaboration targets import substitution and low-carbon fertiliser production to support the Atmanirbhar Bharat objective.
AM Green builds world’s largest green-ammonia complex in Andhra Pradesh (Mid of January) ▼
  • AM Green is developing India’s first and the world’s largest green-ammonia complex with a planned capacity of 1.5 million tonnes per annum.
  • The integrated project spans 7.5 gigawatts of solar and wind capacity, 1,950 megawatts of electrolyser capacity and 2 gigawatts of round-the-clock renewable power supported by pumped hydro storage.
  • The facility will be commissioned in phases—0.5 million tonnes per annum by 2027, scaling to 1 million tonnes by 2028 and full 1.5 million tonnes by 2030.
  • Green ammonia produced at Kakinada will be used globally as a clean shipping fuel, for power generation and as a carrier for green hydrogen.
Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd (APL) and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) sign MoU for ₹1,200 Crore e-Methanol plant (End of January) ▼
  • Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd (APL) and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a 150 Tonnes Per Day (TPD) e-Methanol plant at Kandla Port in Gujarat.
  • The project involves a capital investment of more than ₹1,200 crores and is expected to generate approximately 3,500 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
  • Under the agreement, DPA will provide pipeline connectivity, storage, and fuel-handling infrastructure, while APL will establish the green methanol production facility within the port area.
  • The plant will produce e-methanol using green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide powered by renewable electricity to support India’s Maritime Decarbonisation roadmap.
  • Kandla Port is being developed as a Green Hydrogen Hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to produce and export 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen over the next 5 to 6 years.
  • The facility is intended to position Kandla Port as a major green fuel supply point for international maritime trade routes, including the Singapore–Rotterdam corridor.
  • The initiative contributes to India’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

Flexible Memorandum of Understanding (Flexi-MoU) Scheme: DGT and Bajaj Auto to Train 1,000 Youth

[Bajaj Auto]

Key Updates:

  • The Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) signed a Flexible Memorandum of Understanding (Flexi-MoU) with Bajaj Auto Ltd. to provide industry-integrated training in advanced automotive manufacturing.
  • Bajaj Auto will conduct the training at its manufacturing facilities located in Maharashtra and Uttarakhand.
  • The programme aims to enrol 1,000 trainees in the first year, with structured training durations lasting up to 24 months.
  • The initiative is aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), and successful candidates will be awarded a National Trade Certificate (NTC).
  • The Flexi-MoU Scheme requires industry partners to ensure the placement of at least 50 per cent of the trained candidates.
  • The agreement between DGT and Bajaj Auto is valid for 10 years and includes industry-led practical assessments and DGT-conducted computer-based theory exams.

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PM-SETU Programme gets $830 million World Bank loan to upgrade ITIs (Start of February) ▼
  • World Bank approved $830 million loan for PM-SETU to revamp Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
  • PM-SETU targets training over 1 million skilled workers annually and mobilising at least $680 million in private investment.
  • Programme adopts hub-and-spoke model: 200 advanced hub ITIs and 800 spoke ITIs district-wide.
  • Loan has 19.5-year final maturity including 4-year grace period.
  • Curricula will be updated and at least 25% of ITI students will be women.
  • Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) with anchor firms will manage government-owned but industry-run operations.
  • Focus sectors include manufacturing, electric vehicles (EVs), artificial intelligence (AI), green energy, textiles, and construction.
Skills Accelerator MoU to bridge workforce skill gaps (End of January) ▼
  • Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) signed an MoU with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to launch and implement a Skills Accelerator in India.
  • The Accelerator is a multistakeholder platform aimed at identifying, scaling, and accelerating innovative solutions and public–private partnerships to address critical skills gaps in the workforce.
  • It will strengthen India’s technical and vocational education and training ecosystem by aligning skilling initiatives with industry and global economy demands.
PM VIKAS: Skill Training for 2,110 Minority Youth through NIFTEM-K (End of December) ▼
  • The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) has selected the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) Kundli as a Project Implementing Agency (PIA) to implement the PM VIKAS scheme.
  • Under this project, NIFTEM-K will train a total of 2,110 beneficiaries from the minority community.
  • The training will be conducted across seven locations in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana.
  • The program includes three training categories: Multi Skill Technician (Food Processing), Millet Products Processor, and Assistant Baking Technician.
  • The project will provide National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) compliant skill training through National Council of Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) approved courses.
  • The initiative aims to facilitate placement in wage employment, self-employment, or apprenticeship, with certification from institutions approved by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
  • The program is scheduled to be rolled out in January 2026.
Tamil Nadu signs ₹5,980 Crore MoUs for Electronics and Aerospace Investments (Mid of February) ▼
  • On 16 February 2026, the Government of Tamil Nadu signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) totalling ₹5,980 crore to strengthen advanced manufacturing in electronics and aerospace.
  • MinebeaMitsumi signed an MoU with Guidance Tamil Nadu (Guidance TN) to invest ₹1,980 crore in the Tiruvallur district for manufacturing precision mechanical and electronic components.
  • The MinebeaMitsumi project is expected to generate approximately 1,400 high-end jobs in sectors including automotive, industrial, and electronics.
  • Aequs Group signed an MoU worth ₹4,000 crore to establish India’s first fully vertically integrated aircraft engine manufacturing project.
  • The Aequs Group project will be situated on a 250-acre site at the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) in Shoolagiri, Krishnagiri district.
  • The aerospace initiative is projected to create 7,000 high-quality jobs and will feature an Aerospace and Defence Park for manufacturing aircraft engine and gearbox components.
  • The investments aim to benefit local youth and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) while positioning Krishnagiri as a high-technology manufacturing centre.

National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge to Strengthen Rural Climate Resilience

[National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)]

Key Updates:

  • The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) launched the National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge in collaboration with The Gates Foundation and Dalberg Advisors.
  • The initiative aims to build a National Climate Stack to strengthen climate resilience in rural India by integrating fragmented climate datasets and forecasting models.
  • The challenge seeks proposals for credible near-term (10-15 year) climate hazard forecasting frameworks and practical use-case dashboards for agriculture and rural finance.
  • The open call for proposals from research institutions, universities, startups, and private-sector innovators is scheduled for 6th March 2026.
  • The screening and shortlisting of high-potential teams based on eligibility and methodology will take place between March and April 2026.
  • Shortlisted teams will participate in a 6-8 week guided model development sprint between April and May 2026 to refine climate hazard models.
  • Technical validation and jury-led selection of final awardees will be conducted between May and June 2026 based on scientific rigour and scalability.
  • The target beneficiaries include the agriculture, rural finance, and public planning sectors in rural India.
  • The initiative aligns with the Honourable Prime Minister’s vision of leveraging technology to democratise climate data for a more resilient rural India.
  • The Ministry and total budget outlay for the initiative are not specified in the article.

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Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to organise Him-CONNECT in New Delhi from 25th to 27th February 2026 (End of February) ▼
  • The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is organising 'Him-CONNECT' as part of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) in New Delhi.
  • The event, scheduled from 25th to 27th February 2026, aims to connect researchers in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) with start-ups, investors, and policymakers.
  • More than 24 technologies, prototypes, and patents developed under the National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) will be showcased to over 100 start-ups and incubators.
  • Participating institutions include Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) at Guwahati, Roorkee, Jodhpur, Jammu, Ropar, and Mandi, and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) institutions CRRI and IHBT.
  • Other innovators represent Central Agricultural University (Imphal), National Institutes of Technology (NITs) at Silchar and Arunachal Pradesh, SKUAST-K, University of Kashmir, TERI-Guwahati, Kumaon University, and G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE).
  • Key innovations on display include eco-friendly road construction, treated wastewater use for hydroponic farming, and conversion of sericulture waste into burn ointments.
  • The showcase also features low-cost mineralised water purifiers, pine needle-based wastewater treatment systems, decentralised wastewater reuse solutions, and yak milk cottage cheese processing technologies.
  • The platform focuses on critical sectors including water security, climate adaptation, waste-to-wealth, sustainable building, renewable energy, and nature-based livelihoods.
  • The NMHS has supported over 250 action-oriented initiatives in the IHR over the last decade to address conservation and sustainable management of natural resources.
ICAR–NDDB MoU Targets Climate-Resilient, High-Productivity Dairy Value Chain (Mid of January) ▼
  • ICAR and NDDB signed an MoU to deepen multidisciplinary research, innovation and capacity building across the entire dairy value chain.
  • Partnership focuses on translating science into impact for millions of small and marginal dairy farmers.
  • Key technical areas include integrated farming systems, climate resilience, low livestock productivity and value chain development.
  • Initiatives will deploy modern technologies emerging from ICAR institutes for fodder, manure management, biogas utilisation and gaushala-based stray cattle management.
  • NDDB and ICAR will jointly develop, validate and deploy technologies, share knowledge, run training programmes and create scalable, replicable models across diverse agro-climatic zones.
Jal Shakti Hackathon–2025 and Bharat-WIN Portal launched to drive water innovation (Mid of December) ▼
  • Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C. R. Patil inaugurated the Jal Shakti Hackathon–2025 and the Bharat-WIN Portal.
  • The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Water Vision @ 2047’ for a technologically empowered, sustainable, and water-secure India.
  • Bharat-WIN Portal hosted at https://bharatwin.mowr.gov.in democratizes water-sector innovation for startups, MSMEs, industry, research institutions, young innovators, rural youth, women-led enterprises, academia, and global collaborators.
  • Hackathon priority domains include water resource management, wastewater treatment and reuse, water-use efficiency & circular economy, smart water monitoring, climate resilience and hydrological modelling, flood & drought forecasting, precision agriculture & farm-level water conservation, revival of traditional water systems, and river-basin and watershed management.
  • Winning participants receive ₹1 lakh grant for developing a Proof-of-Concept (PoC), mentorship through national research institutions, and opportunities for piloting and real-world implementation.
  • National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee, designated as Project Implementation Agency to scrutinize proposals, facilitate expert review, recommend innovations for approval, and support capacity-building and scaling of solutions.
  • Grants-in-aid for selected innovations provided under the ‘Research and Development Programme in Water Sector’ and the National Water Mission.
Mumbai Climate Week 2026: City-Led Initiative to Showcase Climate Action as Fundamental Child Right (End of January) ▼
  • Mumbai is slated to host the ‘Mumbai Climate Week 2026’ from February 17 to 19, marking India’s first city-led initiative dedicated to fostering local action through citizen-driven solutions.
  • UNICEF India and YuWaah have been named the official youth engagement partners for the event.
  • The initiative is curated by Project Mumbai in collaboration with UNICEF and YuWaah to empower the next generation to become active agents of change within their communities.

Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2026 celebrated on 7 March to promote affordable generic medicines

Key Updates:

  • Jan Aushadhi Diwas is observed every year on 7 March to raise awareness about the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
  • PMBJP was launched in November 2008 by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, in collaboration with Central Pharma Public Sector Undertakings.
  • The scheme provides quality generic medicines at affordable prices through dedicated outlets called Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK).
  • Week-long events are organised across the country from 1 to 7 March to support the initiative.

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Janaushadhi Saptah 2026: Nationwide Health Check-Ups Launched (Start of March) ▼
  • Janaushadhi Saptah 2026 began today with health check-up camps across the country to raise awareness about affordable and quality generic medicines.
  • The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (MoCF) stated that the week-long celebrations will culminate in the 8th Janaushadhi Diwas.
  • The Department of Pharmaceuticals is organising health check-up camps at over 250 locations nationwide until the 5th of this month.
  • On the first day, health camps were held at approximately 50 locations offering general health check-ups, free blood tests, blood pressure, and thyroid tests.
  • Free distribution of Janaushadhi medicines, physiotherapy consultations, eye check-ups, and child health initiatives were also organised at several centers.
  • Special attention was given to women and senior citizens at the camps.
  • Over 18,000 Janaushadhi Kendras are operating across the country under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
  • The government targets expanding the network to 25,000 Kendras by 2027.
PM Modi hosts 9th edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026. (Start of February) ▼
  • Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026, the 9th edition, was livestreamed on 6 February 2026 at 10 am.
  • PM Modi interacted with students, parents, and teachers across Devmogra, Coimbatore, Raipur, Guwahati, and his residence.
  • Over 4.5 crore students, 28 lakh teachers, and 6.15 lakh parents registered for PPC 2026.
  • The programme is part of the government’s Exam Warriors initiative to reduce exam anxiety.
  • The next telecast of PPC 2026 is scheduled for 9 February at 10 am on DD National, DD News, DD India, All India Radio, and online platforms.
Veer Bal Diwas observed on December 26 (End of December) ▼
  • Veer Bal Diwas is observed every year on December 26 to remember and honour the extraordinary courage and supreme sacrifice of the four Sahibzadas, the sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in 2022 that December 26 would be observed annually as Veer Bal Diwas.
  • The Ministry of Women and Child Development observes Veer Bal Diwas at the national level and confers the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar on the same day.
Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026 Registrations Open on MyGov Portal (Start of December) ▼
  • Ministry of Education (MoE) announced the 9th edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC) to be held in January 2026.
  • Online MCQ-based competition for participant selection runs on MyGov portal from 1st December 2025 to 11th January 2026.
  • Students of Classes 6-12, teachers, and parents can register; all completers receive MyGov participation certificate.

Karnataka Budget 2026-27 allocates Rs 4.48 lakh crore with AI Centre of Excellence and flood relief

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

  • Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented the State Budget 2026-27 with a total outlay of Rs 4,48,004 crore.
  • The state will set up two centres in collaboration with the Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms and NASSCOM at a total cost of Rs 16 crore to establish a state-of-the-art AI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
  • Karnataka will have a Leopard Rehabilitation Centre in Bannerghatta Biological Park at an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore.
  • The state will implement disaster management projects over five years for Rs 5,000 crore to address flooding in Bengaluru under the Karnataka Water Security and Resilience Programme (KWSRP), a World Bank-funded initiative.
  • The government is developing a Karnataka-specific economic framework described as the '11G model' to guide the state's growth.
  • 15,000 vacant posts of teachers in schools and colleges will be filled in the next fiscal year.
  • A grant of Rs 565 crore will be provided for the construction of new rooms and repair works in government primary, high schools, and Pre-University Colleges.
  • Rs 75 crore is allocated for the construction of toilets and Rs 25 crore for the procurement of furniture in schools.
  • A grant of Rs 125 crore will be made for the maintenance of government primary schools, high schools, and Pre-University Colleges.
  • Rs 3,900 crore will be spent for upgradation of 800 schools to Karnataka Public Schools (KPS).

Similar Coverage

Siddaramaiah became the longest-serving Chief Minister of Karnataka (Start of January) ▼
  • Siddaramaiah became the longest-serving Chief Minister of Karnataka, surpassing the record previously held by the late Devaraj Urs.
  • He equalled the record of 2,792 days in office on January 6, 2026, during his second term as a leader of the Congress.
  • Late Devaraj Urs served two terms totaling 2,792 days, including 2,113 days from March 20, 1972, to December 31, 1977, and 679 days from February 28, 1978, to January 7, 1980.
  • Siddaramaiah held office for 1,829 days during his first term from May 13, 2013, to May 15, 2018, and has completed 963 days in his ongoing second term since May 20, 2023.
  • He is the only Chief Minister after Devaraj Urs to complete a full five-year term in the history of Karnataka.
  • DK Shivakumar currently serves as the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka alongside Siddaramaiah.
World Bank (WB) Recommends Karnataka PSU Borrowing Model for State Fiscal Transparency (Start of February) ▼
  • The World Bank (WB) report for the 16th Finance Commission (FC) identified Karnataka as a template for including Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) and Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) debt in state liabilities.
  • Karnataka amended the Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Legislation Act in February 2014 to broaden the definition of liabilities and curb off-budget borrowing (OBB).
  • The Union Government brought 93 per cent of its off-budget liabilities, approximately ₹3.7 trillion, onto its balance sheet by Financial Year (FY) 2022.
  • The WB found discrepancies in OBB reporting for 2021-22, noting Tamil Nadu reported ₹594 crore against the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) estimate of ₹12,357 crore.
  • West Bengal disclosed ₹1,089 crore in OBB compared to the CAG audit figure of ₹4,311 crore for an earlier year.
  • In 2022-23, spending under Minor Head 800 – Others accounted for over 15 per cent of expenditure in Madhya Pradesh, nearly 15 per cent in Tamil Nadu, and close to 12 per cent in Andhra Pradesh.
  • State entities borrowed between ₹3.1 trillion and ₹4.9 trillion annually from Public Sector Banks (PSBs) from 2018-19 to 2022-23.
  • Major lenders for state-level OBB include the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), REC, and Power Finance Corporation (PFC).
  • The report proposed a standardised reporting framework for OBB to be enforced by the CAG under Article 150 of the Constitution.
Meghalaya SDG-Aligned Budget 2026–27: ₹32,023 crore outlay with 19% for infrastructure (End of February) ▼
  • Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma tabled a ₹32,023 crore SDG-aligned budget for 2026–27.
  • SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) received the highest allocation of ₹6,078 crore, 19% of the total outlay.
  • Public works department was allocated ₹3,485 crore, up from ₹2,873 crore in 2025–26.
  • Road construction and upgradation received ₹824.81 crore, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana got ₹746.67 crore, Central Road Fund ₹350 crore, and road maintenance ₹200 crore.
  • Stadium infrastructure was allocated ₹400 crore.
  • SDG 4 (quality education) was allocated ₹4,317 crore (13.48%), with the education and human resources department receiving ₹3,347 crore.
  • SDG 3 (good health and well-being) received ₹3,616 crore (11.29%), with the health and family welfare department getting ₹2,472 crore.
  • SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) was allocated ₹2,834 crore.
  • SDG 1 (no poverty) received ₹2,330 crore and SDG 2 (zero hunger) ₹2,270 crore, including ₹150 crore for supplementary nutrition.
  • SDG 7 (energy) got ₹1,296 crore, SDG 6 (water and sanitation) ₹1,366 crore, and climate action ₹593 crore.
  • 80% of the total outlay is directly linked to specific SDG targets and 20% supports enabling and institutional functions.
  • Meghalaya’s SDG Index score improved from 60 in 2020–21 to 63 in 2023–24, while its national ranking slipped from 22nd to 25th.
Haryana Government unveils ₹2.23 lakh crore budget for 2026-27 with Agniveer quota and new agri power discom. (Start of March) ▼
  • Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini presented a ₹2.23 lakh crore budget for fiscal year 2026-27 in the state assembly.
  • Debt servicing consumes 29.2% of total outlay, with interest payments at ₹29,266.62 crore and public debt repayment at ₹36,101.68 crore.
  • Education and sports receive ₹23,603.69 crore, health ₹14,007.28 crore, social justice ₹17,250.72 crore, development & panchayats ₹8,703.74 crore, and home ₹8,475.01 crore.
  • Government will establish Haryana Agri Discom, a third power distribution company dedicated to the agriculture sector to supply uninterrupted electricity to over 7 lakh farmers.
  • 20% reservation for Agniveers in Haryana Police announced alongside a special recruitment drive for 1,300 personnel.
  • ₹100 crore allocated for the new Haryana Green Climate Resilience Fund.
  • World Bank approves ₹2,716 crore for the Haryana Clean Air Project.
  • Adarsh Pariksha Kendra to be set up under public-private partnership model.
  • Anti-terrorist squad (ATS) to be created under an IG-rank police officer.
  • HSIIDC will develop ‘Wedding City’ projects in Gurugram, Kharkhoda and Pinjore.
  • Modern film city to be established at Pinjore.
  • Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex, Daulatabad, upgraded to Haryana’s first Para Sports Stadium.
  • Revenue deficit projected at ₹4,293.17 crore, 2.65% of state GDP.
  • State’s share in central taxes set at 1.361% for 2026-31 per 16th Finance Commission recommendations.

Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Farm Loan Waiver Scheme and ₹7.69 Lakh Crore Maharashtra Budget

[Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

  • Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis presented a ₹7.69 lakh crore state budget with a primary focus on farm relief and infrastructure.
  • The Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Farm Loan Waiver Scheme was announced to provide a loan waiver of up to ₹2 lakh for farmers with pending loans as of 30 September 2025.
  • Farmers who have consistently repaid their loans will receive an incentive benefit of up to ₹50,000.
  • Under Phase III of the Mukhyamantri Gram Sadak Yojana (MGSY), the state will build 23,000 roads and bridges, including concrete roads in villages with populations exceeding 1,000.
  • The Mumbai Metro Line-11 project will be extended to connect the Dharavi Redevelopment Project with Bandra Suburban Station and Bandra Terminus.
  • A new Chief Minister Entrepreneurship Mega Fund will be established to provide direct financial assistance and government work orders worth up to ₹25 lakh to 50 selected startups without tendering.
  • Administrative approval has been granted for the Wainganga-Nalganga and the Damanganga-Vaitarna-Godavari river link projects.
  • A world-class startup and innovation hub will be developed on 130 acres of land at Wadala, and a New Nagpur project will be set up as a business and financial hub.
  • Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Development Centres will be established to provide vocational training specifically for differently-abled persons.
  • Maharashtra's debt stock is projected to be ₹9,73,989 crore for 2025-26 and is expected to reach ₹11,02,654 crore for 2026-27.
  • The annual interest payment and debt service for the state is estimated at ₹62,030.74 crore for 2025-26.

Similar Coverage

Maharashtra Budget 2026-27: Crop loan waiver up to ₹2 lakh and Ladki Bahin Yojana to continue (Start of March) ▼
  • Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presented the state Budget 2026-27, becoming the first CM to do so.
  • Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karjmafi Yojna will waive crop loans up to ₹2 lakh for farmers with arrears up to September 2025.
  • Farmers who are regular in loan repayments will receive a ₹50,000 incentive under the scheme.
  • Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana for women will continue with adequate government funding.
  • The budget aims to make Maharashtra a $5 trillion economy by 2047.
  • A memorial will be built for late NCP leader and former Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who died in an air crash near Baramati in January.
  • Concrete roads will be provided in villages with a population of over 1,000.
Government of Maharashtra Projects 7.9 Per Cent Economic Growth for 2025-26 (Start of March) ▼
  • 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.
Rani Durgavati Scheme: Chhattisgarh to give ₹1.5 lakh to girls at 18 (Start of March) ▼
  • Chhattisgarh Finance Minister OP Choudhary announced the Rani Durgavati Scheme in the FY 2026-27 budget.
  • Girls will receive ₹1.5 lakh on attaining 18 years of age under the scheme.
  • The annual budget for 2026-27 is ₹1.72 lakh crore.
Gujarat Budget 2026-27 allocates Rs 4.08 lakh crore with focus on tourism and sports infrastructure (Mid of February) ▼
  • Gujarat Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai presented a Rs 4.08 lakh crore Budget for 2026-27 with an estimated surplus of Rs 974 crore and no new taxes.
  • The Budget continued the 5 per cent tax rebate on Motor Vehicle Tax for electric vehicles, providing Rs 210 crore relief to citizens.
  • Rs 1,278 crore allocated for infrastructure related to the 2030 Commonwealth Games to be hosted by Gujarat.
  • Rs 1,331 crore total provision for the sports department, including Rs 500 crore for developing Ahmedabad as an 'Olympic Ready City' and for the SVP Sports Enclave.
  • Rs 165 crore allocated for developing sports complexes in various districts, Rs 100 crore each for Olympic-level infrastructure at Karai and a Para High Performance Centre in Gandhinagar, and Rs 90 crore for a world-class hockey stadium.
  • 2026 declared as 'Gujarat Tourism Year' with Rs 236 crore allocated for enhancing facilities around the Statue of Unity.
  • Rs 300 crore proposed for the Ambaji Corridor Masterplan and Rs 447 crore for iconic bus stations at Somnath and Ambaji and a multi-modal transport hub at Somnath.
  • Rs 60 crore for developing Somnath and Shivrajpur Beach as world-class tourist destinations and promoting tourism in the Visavada-Porbandar region.
  • Rs 95 crore proposed for tourism promotion initiatives including training 1,000 tourist guides and developing facilities at heritage sites.
  • Rs 16,116 crore allocated under the Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana, marking a 17 per cent increase over the previous allocation.

Germany’s Sabrina Wittmann extends FC Ingolstadt contract as nation’s first female professional men’s team coach

[Germany]

Key Updates:

  • Sabrina Wittmann, 34, signed a new contract with FC Ingolstadt 04 after becoming the first woman to manage a German men’s professional football team in 2024.
  • Wittmann completed her professional coaching licence just over one month ago.
  • Born in Ingolstadt in 1991, she first joined a football club after encouragement from former German striker Miroslav Klose while on holiday in Italy.
  • At 16 she moved to the United States, played high-school soccer in Kentucky and served as assistant coach for a middle-school team.
  • After returning to Germany in 2009 she coached in Ingolstadt’s youth academy, later managed the under-19 team in the youth Bundesliga, and was appointed interim coach of the men’s first team in 2024 before earning the permanent post.

Similar Coverage

Germany wins FIH Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 (Mid of December) ▼
  • Germany won the FIH Junior Hockey World Cup 2025.
  • Germany defeated Spain with a 3-2 win in the tie-breaker after a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time.
  • The final match was held at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai.
  • Germany won the FIH Junior World Cup for a record-extending eighth time.
Sjoerd Marijne returns as India women’s hockey chief coach (Start of January) ▼
  • Sjoerd Marijne has been appointed as the chief coach of the Indian women’s hockey team.
  • He guided India to a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics.
  • Marijne takes over from Harendra Singh, who resigned in December citing ‘personal reasons’.
  • His first assignment will be the World Cup qualifying tournament in Hyderabad from March 8 to 14.
Soraya Aghaei elected as first female IOC member from Iran. (Start of February) ▼
  • Soraya Aghaei became the first Iranian female member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
  • She was elected by a decisive 95-2 vote.
  • Aghaei competed in badminton for Iran at the Tokyo Olympics.
  • She is now the youngest representative in the IOC's 132-year history.
  • The IOC currently has 45% female members and is led by President Kirsty Coventry.
United States of America (USA) defeats Canada to win 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games women's ice hockey gold (End of February) ▼
  • The United States of America (USA) defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to secure the gold medal in women's ice hockey at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games.
  • Megan Keller scored the game-winning goal for the USA 4:07 into the overtime period.
  • USA captain Hilary Knight scored her 15th career Olympic goal, setting a new record for the most goals in the history of the national team.
  • Canada received the silver medal, with Kristin O'Neill scoring their only goal of the match.
  • USA goaltender Aerin Frankel recorded 30 saves during the final, ending a tournament shutout streak of 352 minutes and 17 seconds.
  • Switzerland won the bronze medal by defeating Sweden 2-1 in overtime, with Alina Muller scoring the decisive goal.
  • The victory marked the third Olympic gold medal for the USA in women's ice hockey and their eighth consecutive win against Canada across all competitions.
  • The USA and Canada have contested seven of the eight gold medal matches since the sport's Olympic debut at the 1998 Nagano Games.

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) signs MoU with SASMOS HET Technologies to boost indigenous defence manufacturing

[Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)]

Key Updates:

  • Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) signed an MoU with SASMOS HET Technologies Limited to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.
  • The MoU was exchanged between BEL chairman and managing director Manoj Jain and SASMOS chairman and managing director H G Chandrashekar in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
  • The collaboration will focus on localising critical components, increasing domestic value addition and strengthening production capabilities as well as exports.
  • The MoU covers high-reliability photonics and fibre optic systems, avionics and mission-critical electronic systems, aerospace-grade interconnect solutions, electro-mechanical assemblies and sub-systems for airborne, naval and land-based platforms.
  • The partnership aligns with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat initiatives aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing and defence supply chains.
  • BEL shares ended trading 2% higher at ₹469.60 on the NSE and have given a YTD return of 18%.

Similar Coverage

India and Canada establish India-Canada Defence Dialogue and set $50 billion bilateral trade target by 2030 (Start of March) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the launch of the India-Canada Defence Dialogue after talks in New Delhi.
  • Both countries set a bilateral trade target of $50 billion to be achieved by 2030.
  • A long-term uranium supply agreement was announced between India and Canada.
  • Three Memorandums of Understanding on Critical Mineral Cooperation, Promoting the use of Renewable Energy, and Cultural Cooperation were exchanged by Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
  • India and Canada agreed to create the India-Canada Pulse Protein Centre of Excellence in India.
  • Canadian Space Agency and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) agreed to cooperate on Earth observation and explore joint initiatives on space exploration and quantum technologies.
  • Both nations will advance cooperation on security and law enforcement, focusing on illegal flow of drugs including fentanyl precursors and transnational organised criminal networks.
  • Canada and India will conclude a new Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) this year following finalisation of Terms of Reference.
India moves toward $450 million BrahMos export deals with Vietnam and Indonesia (End of December) ▼
  • India has moved closer to inking deals to export BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Vietnam and Indonesia, which collectively will be worth over Rs 4,000 crore ($450 million).
  • Russia, the joint developer of BrahMos missiles, has assured India that it has no objection to the precision-strike weapon being sold to Vietnam and Indonesia.
  • The assurance was given during the delegation-level meeting between defence minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov on Dec 4.
  • Once the deals are inked, Vietnam and Indonesia will become the other ASEAN countries after the Philippines to buy the air-breathing missiles.
  • India had inked a $375 million contract to supply three anti-ship BrahMos coastal batteries to the Philippines in Jan 2022.
  • India successfully deployed the BrahMos missiles, whose range has been increased to 450 km from the original 290 km, from Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets during Operation Sindoor in May.
  • India also plans to begin inducting the new 800-km BrahMos from 2028 onwards, with tests currently underway for the extended-range missiles.
  • India wants to sell the indigenous Akash air defence missile systems and Pinaka multi-launch rocket systems to the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, UAE, and Brazil.
India and European Union sign new security and defence partnership (End of January) ▼
  • India and the European Union (EU) have signed a security and defence partnership pact focusing on maritime domain cooperation and Indo-Pacific engagements.
  • The partnership will facilitate stronger participation of the Indian defence industry in the European market.
  • An industry-led India-EU Defence Industry Forum will be established with official participation as observers and associating EU member states.
  • A dedicated annual EU-India Security and Defence Dialogue has been announced.
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the Indian defence industry can contribute meaningfully to the EU's 'ReArm initiative' aimed at diversifying suppliers and de-risking dependencies.
India and Israel sign MoU to deepen defence ties ahead of Prime Minister Modi's visit (End of February) ▼
  • An MoU was signed between India and Israel to deepen defence ties and strengthen ongoing joint activities, including future seminars and cooperative initiatives.
  • The International Defence Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) within Israel's Ministry of Defense (IMOD) facilitated meetings between leading Indian and Israeli defence industries leading to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
  • SIBAT in cooperation with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and India's Ministry of Defence led a seminar and B2B meetings this week between leading Indian and Israeli defence companies.
  • The seminar was led by SIBAT Director, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas, and brought together small, medium and large Israeli and Indian defence companies for substantive engagements.
  • The event featured representatives from 30 Indian and 26 Israeli defence companies.
  • The Indian delegation was led by Ramesh K, Director General of SIDM, and included J P Singh, Ambassador of India to Israel, and Gp Capt. Vijay Patil, Defence Attache of India to Israel.
  • Prime Minister Modi would arrive on February 25 on a two-day visit to Israel.

University of Waterloo (UW) Researchers Convert Plastic Waste into Acetic Acid Using Sunlight

[University of Waterloo]

Key Updates:

  • Researchers at the University of Waterloo (UW) in Canada developed a light-powered system to convert plastic waste into acetic acid, the primary component of vinegar.
  • The process utilizes photocatalysis, using sunlight as an energy source to trigger a chemical reaction that breaks down plastic polymers at room temperature.
  • The study, published in the journal Advanced Energy Materials, successfully produced acetic acid from Polyethylene (PE), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene (PP), and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).
  • Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) achieved the highest yield in the experiment at 63.8 milligrams per hour per gram of catalyst.
  • Polyethylene (PE) produced a yield of 12.7 milligrams per hour per gram of catalyst, while Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and Polypropylene (PP) both yielded approximately 5.4 milligrams per hour per gram.
  • The innovation aims to provide a sustainable alternative to traditional acetic acid production, which currently generates over 17 million tonnes annually using fossil fuels like natural gas and coal.
  • The chemical reaction mimics the natural step-by-step breakdown of organic matter observed in specific types of fungi.

Similar Coverage

PLASTINDIA 2026 exhibition features over 2,000 global exhibitors (Start of February) ▼
  • PLASTINDIA 2026 commenced in New Delhi on 5 February 2026.
  • The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers (MCF) stated that more than 2,000 international exhibitors will showcase innovations in machinery, raw materials, and circular economy solutions.
  • The exhibition theme is BHARAT NEXT, aligned with the vision of Viksit and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
  • For the first time, PLASTINDIA is envisaged as a Zero Waste exhibition.
  • A dedicated space for youth, innovators, and start-ups will showcase sustainable plastic solutions.
  • The event will conclude on 10 February 2026.
Rice University develops copper-aluminium layered double hydroxide that removes PFAS 100 times faster than current filters (End of January) ▼
  • Rice University scientists created a layered double hydroxide (LDH) material from copper and aluminium that absorbs long-chain PFAS up to 100 times faster than granular activated carbon or reverse osmosis.
  • The positively charged LDH uses electrostatic attraction to bind negatively charged PFAS molecules and concentrates them for destruction without extreme heat.
  • Heating the captured PFAS to 400-500°C breaks carbon-fluoride bonds, yielding calcium fluoride safe for landfill disposal.
  • Scaling the technology faces challenges in occupational safety, regulatory compliance and real-world complexity.
CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-IIP transfer indigenous bio-bitumen technology to industry (Start of January) ▼
  • Bio-bitumen is produced by converting farm residue, like paddy straw, through a process called pyrolysis.
  • A 100-metre trial stretch using bio-bitumen has already been laid on the Jorabat–Shillong Expressway (NH-40) in Meghalaya.
  • The pyrolysis process also yields energy-efficient gas and high-grade carbon for applications from batteries to water purification.

India submits 7th National Biodiversity Report; only 2 of 23 targets on track for 2030

Key Updates:

  • India submitted its 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on 05 Mar 2026.
  • Only two of the 23 national biodiversity targets—NBT1 (biodiversity-inclusive land and sea-use planning) and NBT2 (ecosystem restoration)—are clearly on track for 2030.
  • Forest and tree cover totals 827,357 sq km, 25.17% of India’s geographical area, and rose by 1,445.81 sq km between 2021 and 2023.
  • 24.1 million hectares of degraded land have been restored or are under restoration against India’s 2030 Bonn Challenge pledge of 26 million hectares.
  • India’s tiger population stands at 3,167; Asiatic lion and one-horned rhinoceros numbers are also increasing.
  • Formal protected areas cover a little over 5% of India’s geographical area; marine protected areas and OECM sites are being expanded.
  • The report was prepared by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) with inputs from 33 central ministries and technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
  • Forest carbon stock increased to 7,285.5 million tonnes, up by 81.5 million tonnes from the previous assessment.
  • Agroforestry occupies 8.65% of India’s geographical area and trees outside forests form a significant share of total tree cover.
  • Data gaps, differing collection intervals, and limited protocols for newer indicators hinder consistent biodiversity monitoring.

Similar Coverage

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India launches Goa's first biodiversity and cultural map (Mid of February) ▼
  • World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India has developed the first biodiversity and cultural features map of Goa to be used as an educational tool in schools.
  • The map features 48 commonly found species in Goa, covering birds, mammals, reptiles, sea animals, mangroves, and insects.
  • Cultural aspects represented on the map include Kaavi art, the dressing of Kunbi women, the folk dance of Ghoddemodni, and the practice of crocodile worship known as manngetapnni.
  • The map was created by artist Sudarshan Shaw using a folk indica art style to interest students.
  • The initiative is integrated with the National Education Policy (NEP), under which WWF has trained approximately 450 teachers in government and government-aided schools starting from Class VI.
  • The map was released by Stephen Alter at the Goa Art and Literature Festival.
Madhav Gadgil passes away, recipient of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Champions of the Earth award (Start of January) ▼
  • Madhav Gadgil chaired the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), later known as the Gadgil Commission.
  • He was a key architect of India’s Biological Diversity Act and contributed to the implementation of the Forest Rights Act.
  • Gadgil established India’s first biosphere reserve, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, in 1986.
  • In 2024, he was named a laureate of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Champions of the Earth award.
All-India Tiger Estimation-2026 kicks off in Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Start of January) ▼
  • The first phase of All-India Tiger Estimation-2026 commenced in Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary under Erode Forest Division.
  • Census teams are using the line transect method to record pugmarks, animal droppings, and direct sightings.
  • Wildlife species enumerated include tigers, leopards, gaur, elephants, and bears.
  • Large herbivores such as elephants, gaur, and deer will be enumerated in the subsequent three days.
  • Scavenging birds like vultures and vegetation details including tree species, grass varieties, weeds, shrubs, and undergrowth are also documented.
  • Field-level survey data will be compiled and submitted to the National Tiger Conservation Authority by January 31.
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovers new Diplura hexapod species Lepidocampa sikkimensis in eastern Himalayas (Mid of February) ▼
  • The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) identified the new Diplura species Lepidocampa sikkimensis near Ravangla in Sikkim.
  • Additional specimens of Lepidocampa sikkimensis were later found in Kurseong in Bengal.
  • The findings were published on 7 January 2026 in the international taxonomic journal Zootaxa.
  • The study provides the first DNA barcode data for an Indian Lepidodcampa species.
  • The research team rediscovered the rare sub-species Lepidocampa juradii bengalensis after nearly five decades.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) sanctions ₹99.15 lakh to Bharathiar University (BU) for chemical defence project

[Defence Research and Development Organisation, Bharathiar University]

Key Updates:

  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Union Ministry of Defence has sanctioned ₹99.15 lakh to Bharathiar University (BU) for a major chemical defence project.
  • The project is titled Development of Novel Antidote(s) for Highly Toxic Organophosphorous Compounds.
  • The research will be conducted under the DRDO Industry Academia – Centre of Excellence (DIA–CoE) at BU in Coimbatore.
  • The initiative aims to enhance India’s preparedness in dealing with toxic chemical exposure and strengthen national chemical defence capabilities.

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Industrial Research and Development Promotion Program removes 3-year viability norm for deep-tech startups (Start of January) ▼
  • Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) has removed the mandatory three-year viability criteria for deep-tech startups to access up to Rs 1 crore under the Industrial Research and Development Promotion Program (IRDPP).
  • Startups must still meet evaluation standards linked to technological maturity.
  • The change is intended to accelerate scaling of deep-tech startups and provide early momentum to innovators.
Defence Research and Development Organisation and Rashtriya Raksha University sign MoU to strengthen defence and security collaboration (End of December) ▼
  • Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to foster collaboration in research, education, training and technology support for defence & internal security.
  • The MoU was inked by Distinguished Scientist & Director General (Production Coordination & Services Interaction) Chandrika Kaushik and Vice Chancellor, RRU Prof Bimal N Patel in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at South Block, New Delhi.
  • The collaboration aims to strengthen India's self-reliance in defence and internal security technologies in line with the national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
  • Under the MoU, joint research projects, PhD & fellowship programmes and specialised training & capacity-building programmes for security forces will be undertaken.
BIRAC–RDI Fund: ₹2,000 crore national call announced to scale high-impact biotechnology innovations (Mid of February) ▼
  • Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced the first national call for the BIRAC–RDI Fund, a ₹2,000 crore financing window under the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) initiative.
  • The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is appointed as the second-level fund manager and will deploy the amount over up to five years.
  • The fund will support technologies from TRL-4 to TRL-9 through equity, convertible instruments and long-term debt.
  • Phase-1 submissions for eligible startups, SMEs and industry partners close on 31 March 2026.
  • India’s biotechnology startups expanded from around 50 in 2014 to more than 11,000 today.
  • The bioeconomy grew from about $8 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024, targeting $300 billion by 2030 and $1 trillion by 2047.
  • Biotechnology experiments using domestically developed kits are being conducted in space for plant and life sciences research.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) celebrates 68th Foundation Day with record AoN worth Rs 1.30 lakh crore (Start of January) ▼
  • Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) celebrated its 68th Foundation Day on January 01, 2026.
  • 22 Acceptance of Necessity accorded by Defence Acquisition Council & Services Procurement Board for DRDO systems worth approx. Rs 1.30 lakh crore to be manufactured by Indian Industries in 2025, highest in any single year in history.
  • 11 contracts for acquisitions valued at Rs 26,000 crore signed with DRDO production partners.
  • Notable systems for which AoN accorded: Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), Conventional Ballistic Missile System, Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile System ‘Anant Shastra’, Long Range Air to Surface Supersonic Cruise Missile (LRASSCM), Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDDIS) MK II, Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) Astra Mk-II, Anti-Tank NAG Missile System (Tracked) Mk-2, Advanced Light Weight Torpedo, Processor-based Moored Mine – Next Generation (PBMM NG), Air-borne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Mk-1A, Mountain Radars, Full Mission Simulator for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A.
  • Contracts signed for Nag Missile System, Ashwini Low Level Transportable Radar, Air Defence Fire Control Radar (ADFCR), Electronic Warfare Suite for Mi-17 V5 Helicopter, Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1, High Explosive Pre-Fragmented (HEPF) Mk-I (Enhanced) for Pinaka MLRS, Infantry Foot Bridge Floating, Wargaming System, Automatic Chemical Agent Detector & Alarm (ACADA), Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS).

India defeats New Zealand to defend T20 World Cup title

[New Zealand]

Key Updates:

  • India defended their T20 World Cup title by beating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
  • India posted 255 for 5 in 20 overs; Sanju Samson top-scored with 89 off 46 balls.
  • New Zealand were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs; Tim Seifert made 52 off 26 balls.
  • Jasprit Bumrah took 4 wickets for 15 runs in 4 overs for India.

Similar Coverage

India defeats England to enter record fourth men’s T20 World Cup final (Start of March) ▼
  • 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 defeats England to reach 2026 T20 World Cup final (Start of March) ▼
  • India secured a seven-run victory over England in the second semi-final of the 2026 T20 World Cup held at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
  • Jasprit Bumrah became the 44th bowler in history to reach 500 international wickets, achieving the feat by dismissing England captain Harry Brook.
  • Bumrah established a new world record for the best bowling average among players with 500 international wickets at 20.62, surpassing Glenn McGrath's average of 21.76.
  • The Indian pacer's career wicket tally includes 234 wickets in 52 Test matches, 149 in One Day Internationals (ODI), and 117 in Twenty20 Internationals (T20I).
  • Bumrah recorded a career strike rate of 33.2, the second-best among bowlers with 500 wickets, trailing only Lasith Malinga who holds a strike rate of 32.8.
  • The list of bowlers with the best averages at 500 wickets includes Allan Donald (22.04), Richard Hadlee (22.1), and Curtly Ambrose (22.11).
  • India will face New Zealand in the tournament final on 8 March at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Finn Allen slams fastest T20 World Cup century off 33 balls against South Africa (Start of March) ▼
  • 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.

Sahibzada Farhan tops T20 World Cup 2026 run-scorers list

Key Updates:

  • Sahibzada Farhan (PAK) scored 383 runs in 7 matches at a strike rate of 160.25.
  • Tim Seifert (NZ) amassed 326 runs in 9 matches at a strike rate of 166.32.
  • Sanju Samson (IND) aggregated 321 runs in 5 matches at a strike rate of 199.37.
  • Ishan Kishan (IND) totalled 317 runs in 9 matches at a strike rate of 193.29.
  • Finn Allen (NZ) accumulated 298 runs in 9 matches at a strike rate of 200.00.
  • Sanju Samson’s 46-ball 89 in the final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad was the highest individual score in a T20 World Cup final.
  • India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the T20 World Cup 2026 final held in Ahmedabad.

Similar Coverage

India edges England to reach T20 World Cup 2026 final (Start of March) ▼
  • 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.
Virat Kohli overtakes Kumar Sangakkara to become second-highest run-scorer in international cricket (Mid of January) ▼
  • Virat Kohli overtook Kumar Sangakkara’s tally of 28,016 runs to become the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket.
  • Kohli achieved the feat in his 624th innings during the first ODI between India and New Zealand in Vadodara.
  • Sachin Tendulkar remains the highest run-scorer with 34,357 runs in 782 innings.
  • Kohli has scored 28,068 runs in international cricket so far.
  • Kohli struck a half-century in the match, marking his seventh-straight score of fifty or more in List A cricket.
Finn Allen slams fastest T20 World Cup century off 33 balls against South Africa (Start of March) ▼
  • 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.
India defeats England to reach 2026 T20 World Cup final (Start of March) ▼
  • India secured a seven-run victory over England in the second semi-final of the 2026 T20 World Cup held at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
  • Jasprit Bumrah became the 44th bowler in history to reach 500 international wickets, achieving the feat by dismissing England captain Harry Brook.
  • Bumrah established a new world record for the best bowling average among players with 500 international wickets at 20.62, surpassing Glenn McGrath's average of 21.76.
  • The Indian pacer's career wicket tally includes 234 wickets in 52 Test matches, 149 in One Day Internationals (ODI), and 117 in Twenty20 Internationals (T20I).
  • Bumrah recorded a career strike rate of 33.2, the second-best among bowlers with 500 wickets, trailing only Lasith Malinga who holds a strike rate of 32.8.
  • The list of bowlers with the best averages at 500 wickets includes Allan Donald (22.04), Richard Hadlee (22.1), and Curtly Ambrose (22.11).
  • India will face New Zealand in the tournament final on 8 March at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.