Daily Current Affairs: 9 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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%.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.