PhonePe launches RuPay On-The-Go National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) for offline transit payments
[PhonePe, National Payments Corporation of India]
Key Updates:
- PhonePe has launched the RuPay On-The-Go Card, a National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), to enable offline tap-and-pay transactions across public transport services.
- The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s One Nation One Card vision to digitise public transport payments through a unified mobility platform.
- The card functions without internet connectivity using a prepaid stored-value model where the balance is stored directly on the card’s chip.
- Users can load a maximum balance of ₹2,000 on the card, with a limit of ₹500 for individual offline transactions.
- The initial rollout has commenced with the Hyderabad Metro in partnership with L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited (LTMRHL).
- The card is fully interoperable and can be used across NCMC-enabled public transport systems in cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru.
- Commuters can purchase the card at Hyderabad Metro ticket counters after a one-time password verification of their phone number.
- The card supports transactions across various NCMC-enabled services including metros, buses, suburban trains, toll plazas, and parking facilities.
Similar Coverage
- NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) signed an agreement with Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet) to enable QR-based merchant payments between India and Malaysia.
- Indian travellers will scan DuitNow QR codes using UPI-enabled apps during the first phase of the rollout.
- Malaysian travellers will scan UPI QR codes using DuitNow apps in a subsequent phase.
- The integration will give Indian users access to millions of DuitNow QR acceptance points across Malaysia, including restaurants, retail outlets and tourist establishments.
- Malaysian visitors will gain acceptance across millions of UPI QR-enabled merchant locations in India.
- NPCI International Payments was incorporated in April 2020 as a wholly owned subsidiary of NPCI to deploy UPI and RuPay systems overseas.
- South Indian Bank (SIB) introduces the RuPay Contactless SIB Paytag Sticker, an NFC-enabled payment instrument.
- The compact NFC sticker can be affixed to mobile phones, wallets, or cardholders.
- Customers can make tap-and-pay transactions at contactless POS terminals without carrying a physical debit card.
- No PIN is required for purchases up to ₹5,000; PIN authentication is mandatory for transactions above ₹5,000.
- SIB Paytag can be used at all contactless POS terminals.
- Online e-commerce payments are possible by viewing card details through the SIB Mirror+ app.
- National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) extended UPI One World wallet service to international delegates attending India AI Impact Summit 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from 16-20 February.
- The wallet enables inbound foreign travellers from over 40 countries to perform real-time Person-to-Merchant (P2M) transactions across India without a local bank account or Indian mobile number.
- Maximum loading limit is Rs 25,000 per transaction and Rs 50,000 per month; remaining balance can be transferred back to the original payment source per foreign exchange regulations.
- Wallet accessible at New Delhi International Airport and NPCI Pavilion; loading done via international debit or credit cards and payments made by scanning standard UPI QR codes.
- UPI processed 21.70 billion transactions in January 2026.
- Google Pay launched FLEX, a fully digital, UPI-powered co-branded credit card with Axis Bank built on the RuPay network.
- Users can link the FLEX card to UPI accounts inside Google Pay and scan QR codes for credit-powered merchant payments.
- The card offers instant cashbacks or rewards instead of monthly billing-cycle credits.
- Eligible users can apply and receive a virtual card within minutes at zero cost directly inside the Google Pay app.
- Google Pay introduced Pocket Money on the UPI Circle framework, letting parents set monthly spending limits up to ₹15,000 or approve each child transaction.
- Google Pay now prompts customers to rate small merchants immediately after transactions to build unified customer ratings.
- A GenAI-powered Ads tool within Google Pay for Business lets small merchants create, preview, and launch ad campaigns in minutes.
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) Grants Licences to Allianz Jio Reinsurance and Kiwi General Insurance
[Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), Allianz Jio Reinsurance, Kiwi General Insurance]
Key Updates:
- The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) approved certificates of registration for two insurance entities during its 134th Authority meeting held on March 9, 2026.
- Allianz Jio Reinsurance Limited was granted approval to operate as a reinsurer in India.
- Kiwi General Insurance Limited received a licence to commence operations as a general insurer.
- IRDAI initiated steps to align its regulatory framework with the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Act, 2025.
- The Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Act, 2025, was notified on December 21, 2025, and came into effect on February 5, 2026.
- The new legislation introduces amendments to the Insurance Act, 1938, and the IRDA Act, 1999.
- IRDAI granted in-principle approval for drafting and publishing regulations for stakeholder consultation to fast-track reforms under the new law.
Similar Coverage
- IRDAI has released a consultation paper proposing mandatory adoption of Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) for all insurers effective April 1, 2026.
- The move would bring life insurers, general insurers, health insurers, and reinsurers under a globally aligned financial reporting framework converged with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
- The new standards introduce market-consistent liability valuation, expected credit loss methodology, and different underwriting performance from investment returns.
- IRDAI has been preparing the sector since 2022 through mandatory gap assessments, training programmes, and phased submission of Ind AS-compliant proforma financial statements.
- Most major insurers have already submitted proforma statements for FY 2023–24 and FY 2024–25.
- Stakeholders have until March 24, 2026 to submit feedback to IRDAI.
- Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has launched an Online Death Claim Settlement Portal to provide a simplified digital solution for families and legal heirs.
- The bank has implemented a simplified procedure for death claims up to ₹15 lakh, which requires no third-party surety.
- IOB has committed to ensuring that these death claims are processed within a strict timeline of 15 days.
- The portal features a real-time tracking system allowing claimants to monitor the progress of their application at every stage.
- IOB also unveiled its new corporate website powered by the enterprise-grade Liferay Digital Experience Platform (DXP).
- Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved Central Bank of India’s acquisition of 1.09% additional equity in Generali Central Insurance Company (GCICL) and 0.82% additional equity in Generali Central Life Insurance Company (GCLICL) on 03 March 2026.
- Post-acquisition, Central Bank of India’s shareholding in GCICL will rise from 24.91% to 26%.
- Post-acquisition, Central Bank of India’s shareholding in GCLICL will rise from 25.18% to 26%.
- The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, signed a Common Empanelment Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the General Insurance Council (GIC) on 10 February 2026.
- AIIA has become the first Ayush institution in India to enter into a formal empanelment with the GIC to provide cashless treatment facilities.
- The agreement enables AIIA to be empanelled with all 32 general insurance companies under the GIC for eligible Ayurveda-based healthcare services.
- The Ministry of Ayush has launched India’s first dedicated Ayush Health Insurance Helpline with the toll-free number 1800-11-0008 to assist beneficiaries.
- The GIC is a statutory body established under the Insurance Act, 1938, and has been functioning since 2001 under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
- The MoU was signed by Prof. (Vaidya) P. K. Prajapati, Director of AIIA, and Shri Segar Sampathkumar, Director (Health) of the GIC.
- AIIA is the apex institute for Ayurveda established under the Ministry of Ayush and operates a 200-bed referral hospital with 25 specialty departments.
Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) lists ₹200 crore green bonds on NSE and BSE with 5.24x oversubscription
[Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC), National Stock Exchange (NSE), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)]
Key Updates:
- The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) listed its green bonds on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on Monday, receiving an oversubscription of 5.24 times.
- The NMC aims to raise ₹200 crore to fund key water supply projects linked to the Mukane dam.
- The NMC has become the first municipal corporation in India to complete both public and private bond issuances within a single financial year.
- The bond proceeds will finance the expansion of the Mukane water supply scheme, including a water treatment plant at Nilgiri Bag in the Panchavati division and a gravity-based main water distribution pipeline from Vilholi to Sadhugram in Tapovan.
- The initiatives are expected to reduce the non-revenue water of the city from 47% to 20%.
- The NMC will pay ₹104 crore in interest over the next decade but will receive ₹96 crore from the Centre's urban challenge funds, ₹20 crore in incentives for green bonds, and ₹50 crore in accumulated escrow account interest.
- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) to identify projects for smaller municipal corporations to collectively raise ₹1,000 crore through similar bonds.
Similar Coverage
- Bank of Baroda (BoB) issued its first 7-year green infra bond, raising ₹10,000 crore at a coupon of 7.10%.
- The issue received bids totalling ₹16,000 crore, allowing full utilisation of the ₹5,000 crore green-shoe option over the base ₹5,000 crore target.
- Proceeds will finance renewable energy projects—wind, solar, hydro, bioenergy—and energy-efficient infrastructure projects.
- The bonds were subscribed by domestic institutional investors including life insurance companies, pension and provident funds.
- Rating agencies Care and ICRA assigned AAA rating to the bond issue.
- Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) withdrew its proposed ₹8,000 crore NCD issue (₹2,000 crore base plus ₹6,000 crore green-shoe) due to investor-demand mismatch for the 3-year 4-month tenor.
- SIDBI’s withdrawal is rare and highlights weaker appetite for short-tenor AAA paper at expected fine pricing versus long-duration bonds.
- DFCC Bank’s LKR 3 billion Blue Bond is Sri Lanka’s first-ever Blue Bond and is primarily listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).
- The bond has been dually listed on NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) at GIFT City, becoming the first blue bond admitted for trading within India’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) jurisdiction.
- The dual listing was facilitated under a Memorandum of Understanding between NSE IX and the Colombo Stock Exchange signed at GIFT City on Friday.
- DFCC Bank introduced the blue bonds in November 2025 to finance sustainable use of marine resources, supply of clean drinking water, aquatic pollution control, and related sustainable economic activities.
- Blue bonds are a subset of green bonds that channel proceeds specifically toward marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, ocean-based economic activity, and broader water-related environmental projects.
- In June 2025, NSE IX hosted DFCC Bank PLC’s leadership at GIFT IFSC to mark the listing of its LKR 2.5 billion foreign-currency green bonds, Sri Lanka’s first renewable energy-focused capital market debt instrument and the first foreign corporate issuance admitted to trading on the exchange.
- The Ministry of Finance (MoF) unveiled a new logo for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to signify a single and unified brand identity.
- On the principle of 'One State One RRB', the Department of Financial Services (DFS), MoF, has consolidated 26 RRBs across 11 states/UTs, effective from May 1, 2025.
- The colours of the RRB logo have been chosen to convey the objectives of the RRBs, where dark blue signifies finance and trust, while green signifies life and growth, reflecting their mission to serve rural India.
- Presently, 28 RRBs continue to serve the nation through an extensive network of over 22,000 branches in more than 700 districts.
- This common branding initiative by the government is expected to give RRBs a distinct, modern and easily recognisable brand identity nationwide, symbolising their collective commitment to financial inclusion and rural development.
- NITI Aayog CEO Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam released the report titled “Deepening the Corporate Bond Market in India” on 11th December 2025 in New Delhi.
- The report outlines a reform-oriented roadmap to build a deeper, more resilient, and inclusive bond market capable of supporting India’s long-term investment requirements.
- India’s corporate bond market remains constrained by limited market depth, concentrated investor profiles, and modest secondary-market activity.
- The report recommends strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks, enhancing market infrastructure and transparency, and facilitating greater issuance by mid-size firms.
- It proposes broadening participation of insurance, pension and retail investors and expanding product offerings such as credit-enhanced instruments, long-tenor bonds, and sustainability-linked products.
- The study advocates improving liquidity in primary and secondary markets through deeper market-making and repo facilities and leveraging digital innovations including tokenised bonds and integrated data systems.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) Launches Say No To Proxy Sarpanch Campaign
[Ministry of Panchayati Raj]
Key Updates:
- The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) launched a nationwide social media campaign titled Say No To Proxy Sarpanch to combat the practice of proxy representation in Gram Panchayats.
- The campaign aims to empower elected women Sarpanches and raise awareness against male relatives, often called Sarpanch Pati or Pradhan Pati, exercising authority in their stead.
- Launched on International Women’s Day, the initiative is being conducted in collaboration with state panchayati raj departments and will continue until 18 March 2026.
- The MoPR had previously formed an advisory committee in September 2023, following a Supreme Court order, to address the issue of proxy participation.
- The committee’s report, titled Transforming Women’s Representation and Roles in Panchayati Raj Systems and Institutions: Eliminating Efforts for Proxy Participation, recommended enforcing exemplary penalties for proxy leadership.
- Proposed measures include a robust reporting mechanism through helplines, women's watchdog committees for confidential complaints, and whistleblower rewards for verified cases.
- The report was based on extensive consultations and four intensive regional workshops involving 14 States.
Similar Coverage
- The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) launched the 'Say No To Proxy Sarpanch' social media campaign on 8 March 2026 to combat the 'Sarpanch Pati' practice.
- The campaign runs from 8 March to 18 March 2026 and targets proxy leadership where male relatives exercise authority in place of elected women sarpanches.
- An advisory committee set up by MoPR in September 2023 recommended exemplary penalties for proven proxy leadership cases and a helpline-based reporting mechanism with whistleblower rewards.
- The National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme awareness programme will be held on 26 February 2026 at Gandhi Prekshagrih, Gandhi Stadium, Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and Ayushman Cards will be distributed to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and waste pickers during the event.
- Beneficiaries who completed skill development training will receive sewing machines to support livelihood and economic empowerment.
- B.L. Verma, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE), will grace the event.
- The Karnataka Cabinet has approved the statewide implementation of the 'Akka Pade' scheme across all 31 districts and five police commissionerates.
- The decision is aimed at strengthening efforts to prevent atrocities against minor girls and women, including child marriages, by extending the initiative beyond its pilot phase.
- Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil said the 'Akka Pade' scheme was initially launched on a trial basis in select districts to curb child marriages and protect minor girls and women from abuse and exploitation.
- Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav launched the 'Swachh Jal Abhiyan' to conduct comprehensive testing of drinking water quality in all urban and rural areas.
- A weekly public hearing named 'Jal Sunwai' will be held every Tuesday at the district level for citizens to raise water-related complaints.
- A mobile application will be developed for a water pipeline asset survey involving residents to identify leakages and contaminated sources.
- The campaign will be implemented in two phases: Phase I from January 10 to February 28 and Phase II from March 1 to May 31.
- All drinking water sources will undergo quality testing, and STPs will be regularly monitored to ensure clean water supply.
Dassault Aviation signs long-term contract with Bengaluru-based Hical Technologies for Rafale critical control systems
[Dassault Aviation, Hical Technologies]
Key Updates:
- Dassault Aviation awarded a long-term contract to Bengaluru-based Hical Technologies for manufacturing mission-critical products for Rafale fighter aircraft control systems.
- Hical Technologies will deliver products meeting Dassault Aviation's stringent engineering, qualification and reliability standards.
- The contract comes as India nears finalisation of a deal for 114 Dassault Rafale jets worth over Rs 3.25 lakh crore.
- Hical's inclusion positions India as a strategic contributor to the Rafale platform and the global aerospace and defence value chain.
Similar Coverage
- TVS Supply Chain Solutions (TVS SCS) signed an MoU with Italy-based ALA Group to jointly pursue opportunities in India’s aerospace and defence supply chain sector.
- India’s aerospace and defence market is estimated at around $28 billion.
- TVS SCS will leverage its domestic presence and UK defence experience; its aerospace, defence and utilities business generates approximately $140 million in annual revenue.
- ALA Group reported revenues of $345 million in 2024 and will contribute aerospace and defence domain expertise, global technology platforms and OEM relationships across Europe, the US and the UK.
- The partnership will focus on integrated production and aftermarket services including production support, spare parts distribution, inventory optimisation, defence-grade logistics, logistics engineering, and MRO support.
- Embraer and Mahindra Group announced plans to develop Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities in India for the C-390 Millennium aircraft.
- The MRO facility is contingent on the C-390 Millennium's selection for the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program.
- The collaboration builds on a strategic partnership formed in October 2025 to produce the C-390 Millennium in India.
- The initiative supports the Indian Air Force's MTA program and aligns with the 'Make in India' initiative.
- The MRO facility will provide base and heavy maintenance, structural inspections, component overhaul, avionics support, and training.
- Embraer is exploring India as a regional MRO hub for other C-390 operators.
- The C-390 Millennium has a payload capacity of up to 26 tons and a mission completion rate above 99%.
- Embraer has nearly 50 aircraft of 11 types operating in India across commercial, defense, and business aviation.
- The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed contracts worth Rs 5,083 crore for six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-III (Maritime Role) and Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch - Shtil missiles.
- The ALH Mk-III contract valued at Rs 2,901 crore was signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- The helicopters include operational role equipment, an engineering support package, and performance-based logistics support for the Indian Coast Guard.
- The Shtil missile contract valued at Rs 2,182 crore was signed with JSC Rosoboronexport of the Russian Federation.
- The acquisition aims to enhance the Indian Navy's layered air defence and the Indian Coast Guard's maritime security capabilities.
- Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh approved the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France.
- The government-to-government deal with Dassault Aviation is estimated at Rs 3.25 lakh crore, making it India’s biggest defence deal since Independence.
- About 20 aircraft will be bought in fly-away condition and are expected to join the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet by 2030.
- The remaining jets will be manufactured in India with Dassault-HAL collaboration and up to 50-60% indigenous content.
- IAF currently operates 36 Rafale jets; Indian Navy has ordered 26 naval variants, bringing the eventual total to 150 Rafales.
- DAC also cleared procurement of P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from Boeing, combat missiles, high-altitude pseudo satellite, anti-tank mines (Vibhav), overhaul of T-72 tanks, BMP-II infantry combat vehicles and armoured recovery vehicles, and an electro-optical infra-red system for Coast Guard Dorniers.
- The combined value of all acquisitions approved on Thursday is Rs 3.6 lakh crore.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) reports Israel's unlawful use of white phosphorus in southern Lebanon
[Israel, Lebanon, Human Rights Watch]
Key Updates:
- Human Rights Watch (HRW) confirmed authenticity of seven photos showing white phosphorus munitions fired over Yohmor in southern Lebanon on March 3.
- The Israeli military's use of airburst white phosphorus over residential areas violated international humanitarian law.
- Fires broke out in at least two homes in Yohmor due to the incendiary effects of white phosphorus.
- HRW verified images posted by the Islamic Health Committee in Yohmor showing civil defence workers extinguishing fires on rooftops and in a car.
- HRW urged the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany to suspend military sales to Israel and impose targeted sanctions on officials.
- Israel had previously used white phosphorus between October 2023 and May 2024 across border villages in southern Lebanon.
- At least 394 people have been killed and more than 1,000 injured in Lebanon in Israeli attacks.
- More than half a million people have been registered as displaced in Lebanon as Israel issues forced displacement orders.
Similar Coverage
- Queensland will introduce legislation on Tuesday to ban the pro-Palestinian slogan 'from the river to the sea'.
- The slogan ban carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison.
- The phrase 'globalise the intifada' will also be proscribed under the same law.
- Displaying the Hamas flag, Islamic State flag, Hezbollah emblem and Nazi symbols will attract up to two years in prison.
- Impeding religious services will be a new offence with a three-year prison term.
- Assaulting or threatening a religious officiant will carry a penalty increased from two to five years.
- Intentionally damaging a place of worship will carry a maximum seven-year sentence.
- The reforms follow the 14 December 2025 Bondi Beach attack that killed 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration.
- At least 12 people were killed and 24 wounded in Israeli air strikes targeting Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley.
- Senior Hezbollah leader Hussein Yaghi, the son of former lawmaker Mohamed Yaghi, was killed in the strikes targeting command centres.
- An Israeli strike on the Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in the port city of Sidon resulted in the deaths of two members of Hamas.
- The military actions occurred despite a fragile United States (US)-brokered ceasefire established in 2024 to end cross-border hostilities.
- The Israeli military stated the strikes targeted command centres of Hezbollah and Hamas, while Hamas claimed the targeted building in Sidon belonged to a joint security force.
- Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar decided that Jerusalem will immediately sever all contact with several United Nations agencies and international bodies.
- The decision was made after a review of organisations named in the United States' announcement and of Israel's own experience with these bodies.
- Israel has already severed ties with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children in Armed Conflict, UN Women, UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).
- Additional organisations affected include the UN Alliance of Civilisations, UN Energy, and the Global Forum on Migration and Development.
- The United States Department of State approved a $3.8 billion sale of 30 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to Israel.
- The overall $6.67 billion arms package is the third approval by the Trump Administration bypassing Congressional oversight.
- The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the proposed sale aimed at strengthening Israel’s aerial combat capabilities.
- Israel will receive 70 T700-GE 701D engines, 30 AN/ASQ-170 M-TADS/PNVS targeting systems, 30 AN/APG-78 Longbow Fire Control Radars, 30 AN/APR-48B Radar Frequency Interferometers, 30 AN/AAR-57 Missile Warning Systems, 30 AN/ARC-231A radios, 60 M36E8 training missiles, 72 EAGLE-M GPS/INS units, and 36 infrared countermeasure systems.
- The deal includes $1.98 billion for 3,250 light tactical vehicles plus Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUMT) capabilities, Link-16 terminals, simulators, spares, and five-to-eight temporary US personnel in Israel for up to five years.
- Boeing Company, Arlington, Virginia and Lockheed Martin, Orlando, Florida are the principal contractors.
FATF adds Kuwait and Papua New Guinea to increased monitoring list
[Financial Action Task Force, Kuwait, Papua New Guinea]
Key Updates:
- The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) added Kuwait and Papua New Guinea to its list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring after its plenary meeting held on 11–13 February 2026.
- Kuwait and Papua New Guinea were placed under increased monitoring due to strategic deficiencies in their frameworks to counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.
- Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), and Myanmar remain on the FATF list of high-risk jurisdictions requiring enhanced due diligence.
- Iran and DPRK continue to be subject to countermeasures, while Myanmar remains under enhanced due diligence requirements since its inclusion in October 2022.
- FATF advised members and other jurisdictions to apply enhanced due diligence measures proportionate to risks arising from Myanmar.
- FATF urged countries to ensure that financial flows related to humanitarian assistance, legitimate non-profit organisation activities, and remittances are not disrupted.
- Countries under increased monitoring commit to implementing time-bound action plans to address identified gaps.
- Jurisdictions currently under increased monitoring include Algeria, Angola, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Kenya, Lao PDR, Lebanon, Monaco, Namibia, Nepal, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Vietnam, the Virgin Islands (UK), and Yemen.
Similar Coverage
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) will commence a joint air exercise near the Malacca Strait on 9 February 2026.
- The drill will be conducted near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the North Malacca Strait, marking the first international air exercise for the IAF in 2026.
- India will deploy four to six Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft, mid-air refuelling tankers, and an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.
- The RTAF will participate with four to six Gripen fighter jets operating from Thai air bases.
- The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and test logistics endurance and operational sustainability in island territories within the Indian Ocean Region.
- The joint drill will include maritime search and rescue operations supported by naval vessels deployed at sea.
- Defence cooperation between the two nations is institutionalised under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in January 2012 and India’s Act East policy.
- The IAF is scheduled to participate in three additional major air exercises with France, the United States, and Greece over the next two months.
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Aid Agency signed a US$20 million cooperation agreement with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to provide urgent food assistance to Sudan.
- The grant is directed towards emergency response efforts for conflict-affected communities and displaced populations within Sudan and neighbouring host countries, including Chad, South Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia.
- The agreement was signed by Rashid Salem Al Shamsi, Executive Director of Logistics Support at the UAE Aid Agency, and Bashar Al Hammami, Head of the WFP Partnership Office in the UAE.
- The UAE provided a total of US$4.24 billion in assistance to Sudan between 2015 and 2025.
- Between 2023 and 2025, following the outbreak of the civil war, the UAE delivered US$784 million in humanitarian aid to the region.
- Indonesia is preparing up to 8,000 soldiers for deployment to Gaza, the first country to do so as part of phase two of the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States late last year.
- Army chief of staff General Maruli Simanjuntak said training for the soldiers had already begun and they would focus on medical and engineering roles in Gaza.
- Indonesia has joined President Donald Trump's Board of Peace, announced last month, which has a mandate from the United Nations Security Council to establish an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to secure border areas in Gaza and ensure demilitarisation including disarmament of Hamas.
- The Board of Peace is due to have its first meeting in Washington on 19 February and will also oversee a new technocratic Palestinian government in Gaza and post-war reconstruction.
- An area in southern Gaza between Rafah and Khan Younis has already been designated for use by the Indonesian army to build a barracks for several thousand troops, according to Israel's public broadcaster Kan.
- Other Muslim countries like Turkey and Pakistan are also considering sending troops as peacekeepers only and would not participate in the planned disarmament of Hamas.
- The Indian Army is hosting the inaugural United Nations (UN) Fellowship Training Programme on small arms and light weapons (SALW) control for the Asia-Pacific region.
- The three-week training programme is being conducted at the Military College of Materials Management (MCMM) in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, and will culminate on 6 March.
- The fellowship is organised by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) through its Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD).
- Delegates from 13 countries in the Asia-Pacific region are participating in the programme held under the aegis of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
- The programme is designed to build technical and operational capacity for implementing the UN Programme of Action (PoA) and the International Tracing Instrument (ITI).
- The initiative aims to enhance regional cooperation, improve tracing systems, and strengthen responsible stockpile management practices to counter illicit SALW proliferation.
- Deepayan Basu Ray, Director of UNRCPD, and Lieutenant General Sanjay Sethi addressed the strategic importance of the fellowship in addressing security challenges posed by illicit arms flows.
NATO launches biennial Cold Response exercise in Arctic with 25,000 troops
[North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Finland, Norway]
Key Updates:
- NATO launched Cold Response on 9 March 2026, running until 19 March, primarily in northern Norway and Finland.
- Roughly 25,000 troops from 14 countries across northern Europe participate in the exercise.
- The United States contributes around 4,000 personnel and withdrew one F-35 Lightning II squadron before the drills.
- Norway declared 2026 the year of 'total defence', integrating civilian infrastructure and private companies into national defence planning.
- During the drills NATO will test hospitals and emergency services in northern Norway handling casualties from a simulated Finnish frontline.
Similar Coverage
- NATO launched Arctic Sentry to coordinate national military exercises in the High North.
- Arctic Sentry is not a military operation and does not involve permanent NATO troop deployment.
- The effort will initially label exercises such as Denmark’s Arctic Endurance and Norway’s Cold Response.
- Coordination for Arctic Sentry will be through NATO’s U.S. headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia.
- The United Kingdom will double its troops in Norway from 1,000 to 2,000 over three years.
- France, Germany and Denmark have confirmed participation without specifying troop numbers.
- NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte cited Russia’s increased activity and China’s growing interest as reasons for the initiative.
- The 11th edition of the biennial Joint Military Exercise 'Lamitiye' is being held in Seychelles from 9 March to 20 March 2026.
- The exercise is conducted at the Seychelles Defence Academy and involves the tri-service Indian contingent and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF).
- The Indian contingent includes personnel from the Assam Regiment, Indian Navy ship INS Trikand, and an Indian Air Force C-130 aircraft.
- Exercise Lamitiye, meaning 'friendship' in Creole, has been held in Seychelles since 2001.
- The 12-day programme features field training exercises, combat discussions, case studies, lectures, and a two-day validation exercise.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will formally inaugurate MILAN 2026 on Thursday at the Samudrika Auditorium inside the Naval Base in Visakhapatnam.
- Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi will attend the inauguration.
- Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, inaugurated the MILAN Village on 15 February.
- The harbour phase of MILAN 2026 began on Wednesday with cultural performances and a formal dinner for delegates.
- A two-day international maritime seminar starts on Thursday ahead of the official inauguration.
- The sea phase of MILAN 2026 is scheduled from 21 February to 25 February.
- The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, strengthen maritime domain awareness, and conduct advanced drills in anti-submarine warfare, air defence, and search-and-rescue operations.
- MILAN 2026 has drawn participation from 70 nations, up from 42 nations in the 2022 edition.
- Initiated by the Indian Navy in 1995, MILAN is a biennial multilateral naval engagement that began with Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
- The inaugural edition was held at Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- The venue was shifted to Visakhapatnam in 2020 due to its more extensive and advanced naval infrastructure.
- MILAN originally aligned with India’s ‘Look East Policy’ and later became part of the ‘Act East’ policy and the SAGAR vision.
- The South Korean Air Force and the United States Air Force began their first Buddy Squadron exercise of 2025 on Monday at Osan Air Base in Gyeonggi Province.
- The exercise runs through Friday and is the 26-1 iteration under a revised framework reducing annual iterations from eight to four while more than doubling participating aircraft and sorties.
- Participating aircraft include South Korean KF-16 fighters, F-35A stealth fighters, FA-50 light attack aircraft, and United States F-16 fighters.
- The Buddy Squadron exercise, renamed from Friendship Training in 1997, started in 1991 to enhance combined operational capabilities through joint training.
IIT Bombay and Honeywell Partner to Establish Centre of Excellence for Sustainability Skills in Mumbai
[Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Honeywell]
Key Updates:
- The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) and Honeywell have partnered to establish the IIT Bombay–Honeywell Centre of Excellence for Future Skills and Innovation at the Powai campus in Mumbai.
- The initiative is funded by the Honeywell Hometown Solutions India Foundation and aims to train more than 100,000 students in sustainability-related fields by 2030.
- The centre will offer certificate-based programmes and research grants to undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students from across India.
- The curriculum focuses on five specific learning tracks: sustainability reporting, sustainable finance, energy security, sustainability infrastructure, and policy advocacy.
- A two-month pilot phase will establish core infrastructure and train an initial cohort of 250 students, with subsequent phases targeting 20,000 students annually.
- The project aims to address the skilled professional shortage in the renewable energy sector as India targets the creation of 3.4 million green jobs by 2030, according to the Economic Survey 2023-24.
Similar Coverage
- Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) celebrated its 25th Foundation Day at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on 1 March 2026.
- Shri Manohar Lal, Cabinet Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, attended as Chief Guest and unveiled the BEE@25 logo.
- India has reduced the emissions intensity of its GDP by 36% from 2005 levels and achieved 52% non-fossil fuel installed capacity ahead of the 2030 target.
- The Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO) Portal (http://www.rco.beeindia.gov.in) was launched to strengthen monitoring and compliance under energy efficiency programmes.
- The BEE Star Label Mobile Application, developed with CLASP, allows consumers to scan QR codes on star-labelled appliances to access energy performance and compliance details.
- Key BEE initiatives include the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme, Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE), ADEETIE scheme for MSMEs, Standards & Labelling (S&L) Programme, and Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC).
- 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.
- Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) celebrated its 25th Foundation Day at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
- Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar presided as Chief Guest.
- India has reduced emissions intensity of GDP by 36 per cent from 2005 levels and achieved 52 per cent non-fossil fuel-based installed power capacity ahead of 2030 target.
- Policy measures reviewed include Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO), Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme, Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms, ADEETIE initiative for MSMEs, Standards & Labelling programme, and Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC).
- Secretary (Power) Pankaj Agarwal described energy efficiency as India’s “first fuel”.
- BEE@25 commemorative logo was unveiled for use in official communications during the anniversary year.
- RCO Portal launched to strengthen monitoring and compliance under renewable and efficiency programmes.
- BEE Star Label mobile application, developed with CLASP, enables consumers to scan QR codes on star-rated appliances for verified energy performance data.
- Airbus has inaugurated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for aerospace studies at the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) in Vadodara, Gujarat.
- The CoE will focus on Research and Development (R&D) into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and supporting student-led innovations in future aerospace technologies.
- A key objective of the centre is to develop groundbreaking technologies that transform Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
- The partnership includes a full scholarship programme for 45 meritorious and underprivileged students, with one-third of these scholarships reserved for women.
- Airbus has established a Chair Professor for Aerospace Studies at GSV to support undergraduate, postgraduate, and short-term executive programmes.
- GSV was established as a Central University by an Act of Parliament in 2022 to cover the entire transportation sector, including Railways, Aviation, Highways, Ports, and Maritime.
- The university is headed by Chancellor Ashwini Vaishnaw, who is the Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology.
AIIMS and ISRO sign MoU to advance space medicine research for human spaceflight
[All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Indian Space Research Organisation]
Key Updates:
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Indian Space Research Organisation’s Human Space Flight Centre signed an MoU on Monday to collaborate on space medicine research.
- The collaboration covers ground-based and space-based studies in human physiology, cardiovascular and autonomic regulation, musculoskeletal health in microgravity, microbiome and immunology, genomics and biomarkers, and behavioural health.
- Prof K K Deepak explained that microgravity-induced muscle loss, bone weakening and fluid shifts mirror accelerated ageing, aiding understanding of similar terrestrial conditions.
- AIIMS director Prof M Srinivas stated the MoU will open new frontiers in medical research and benefit patients, the nation and humankind.
- ISRO chairman and secretary of the Department of Space V Narayanan highlighted that partnerships with institutions like AIIMS will strengthen India’s human spaceflight capabilities.
- The MoU was signed by AIIMS director M Srinivas and Dinesh Kumar Singh, director of ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre, in the presence of V Narayanan and senior AIIMS faculty and students.
Similar Coverage
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the European Space Agency (ESA) signed the 'ESA–ISRO Arrangement concerning Joint Calibration and Validation Activities and Scientific Studies for Earth Observation Missions' on 4 March 2026.
- ISRO Scientific Secretary M. Ganesh Pillai and ESA Director of Earth Observation Programmes Simonetta Cheli signed the agreement virtually.
- The collaboration covers Earth observation, navigation systems, ground station support and human spaceflight cooperation.
- The partnership between ISRO and ESA began in 1978 and was renewed in 2002.
- The upcoming ESA Fluorescence Explorer (FLEX) mission will benefit from joint calibration and validation campaigns.
- ISRO and ESA have previously cooperated on ground station support for Chandrayaan and Aditya missions and on deep-space communications.
- An MoU between the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has formally entered India into space biotechnology and space medicine.
- Biotechnology experiments conducted in space missions include studies related to life sciences and muscle physiology.
- The GenomeIndia Project has released whole genome sequencing data of 10,000 individuals from 99 diverse populations through the Indian Biological Data Centre.
- India’s first human gene therapy trial for Severe Hemophilia A—supported by DBT and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)—achieved sustained Factor VIII production and reduced dependence on repeated infusions.
- Dr A. E. Muthunayagam, a veteran scientist of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, was awarded the Padma Shri 2026 in the field of Science and Engineering.
- He served as the founding Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) from November 1985 to April 1994.
- He was the Project Manager for the Vikas engine project, developed with a French aerospace company, and oversaw liquid propulsion systems for the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
- He was among the first batch of scientists recruited by Vikram Sarabhai in 1966 for India’s emerging space programme.
- He held the position of Chairman of the Board of Governors at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras from 2005 to 2008.
- He previously served as the Secretary of the Department of Ocean Development and Executive Vice-President of the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment.
- He holds an engineering degree from the University of Madras, a master's from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), a doctorate from Purdue University, and an LLB from the University of Kerala.
- He is a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) and the Astronautical Society of India (ASI), and a foreign member of the Academy of Cosmonautics, Moscow.
- BEML Limited, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru and Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development (FSID) signed a Tripartite Master Research Agreement (MRA) at IISc campus.
- The collaboration targets blue-sky, applied and translational research in aerospace and defence, rail and metro systems, mining and construction equipment, maritime technologies, next-generation mobility, green technologies and advanced manufacturing.
- The partnership will be anchored through BEML’s newly established Central Research Facility (CRF) for joint knowledge creation, simulation, prototyping, technology validation and intellectual property generation.
- BEML has committed significant R&D investments to sustain the collaborative programmes aligned with national priorities of indigenisation and self-reliance.
Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) obtains Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) approval for high-strength steel grades
[Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)]
Key Updates:
- The Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) has obtained an extension of its certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
- The new approval includes four advanced steel grades: ISC 440 LA, ISC 470 LA, ISC 510 LA, and ISC 550 LA.
- The existing BIS licence for the plant previously covered steel grades only up to ISC 410.
- The certification standardises High Strength Low Alloy (HSLA) cold-rolled steel produced at the plant under the IS 513 (Part 2) framework.
- These HSLA grades are designed to meet nationally recognised quality benchmarks for use across critical industrial sectors.
Similar Coverage
- The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has notified IS 19445:2025, a dedicated standard for bomb disposal systems.
- Developed at the request of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory.
- The standard is intended for voluntary adoption by procurement agencies, manufacturers, and testing bodies.
- It establishes comprehensive guidelines for evaluating bomb disposal systems against blast loads and splinter effects.
- The standard specifies requirements for test equipment, test range conditions, and evaluation procedures to objectively assess system effectiveness.
- Bharat Steel is India’s premier annual steel industry event convened under the Ministry of Steel, Government of India.
- The 2026 edition will be held on 16 and 17 April 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
- Stall booking for the event is currently open.
- Russia, Oman, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, South Korea, Mozambique, Brazil and Sweden are listed as International Partners.
- Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Maharashtra are listed as State Partners.
- Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the proposed combination between Bhushan Power and Steel Limited (BPSL), JSW Sambalpur Steel Limited (JSW Sambalpur), JFE Steel Corporation (JFE) and JSW Kalinga Steel Ltd (JSW Kalinga).
- The combination involves transfer of BPSL’s steel business undertaking (Target Business) to JSW Sambalpur by way of slump sale.
- JFE will acquire 50% direct shareholding in JSW Kalinga, resulting in indirect acquisition of 50% shareholding in JSW Sambalpur.
- Post-transaction, JSW Kalinga and JSW Sambalpur will operate as a 50:50 joint venture between JFE and JSW Steel Ltd.
- JSW Kalinga is a wholly owned subsidiary of Piombino Steel Limited, which is a subsidiary of JSW Steel Limited.
- JSW Sambalpur is a wholly owned subsidiary of JSW Kalinga and is yet to commence commercial operations.
- BPSL is currently an indirect subsidiary of JSW Steel, held through Piombino Steel Limited.
- Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), has been certified as a Great Place to Work for the period February 2026 to February 2027.
- This recognition marks the third consecutive year that SAIL has received this certification following an assessment by the Great Place To Work Institute, India.
- The assessment process involved a company-wide survey measuring the TRUST INDEX© score, which evaluates parameters such as credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie.
- SAIL has implemented the SAIL DARPAN initiative to establish a transparent and performance-driven work environment focused on objective evaluation and accountability.
- The organisation has partnered with several institutions for capability enhancement, including Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode, IIM Bangalore, IIM Jammu, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi, XLRI, and Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI).
- Shri Amarendu Prakash currently serves as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of SAIL.
India defeats New Zealand to win ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
[Board of Control for Cricket in India]
Key Updates:
- The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a cash reward of ₹131 crore for the senior men’s Indian team following their victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
- India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
- India became the first team in the history of the tournament to retain the title and the first to win the championship three times.
- The Indian team posted a record finals score of 253 for five, featuring Sanju Samson’s 89 runs.
- Jasprit Bumrah was named Player of the Match in the final for his bowling figures of four for 14.
- Sanju Samson was adjudged Player of the Series for scoring a total of 321 runs in five innings.
- The International Cricket Council (ICC) awarded the winners USD 2.34 million (₹21.5 crore) and the runners-up USD 1.17 million (₹10.75 crore).
- BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the reward, which is an increase from the ₹125 crore reward announced in 2024.
Similar Coverage
- 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.
- India’s World Cup-winning captain, Harmanpreet Kaur and former cricketer Yuvraj Singh... were on Thursday honoured with stands at the Mullanpur Stadium.
- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann honoured Harmanpreet and Yuvraj ahead of the second T20I between Suryakumar Yadav’s India and Aiden Markram’s South Africa.
- After inaugurating the stands, the Punjab Chief Minister handed over the state-announced cash rewards of Rs 11 lakh each to Harleen, Amanjot and captain Harmanpreet.
- Fielding coach Munish Bali also received a Rs 5 lakh award.
- Indian women's cricket team nominated for 2026 Laureus World Team of the Year Award after winning their first ICC Women's World Cup title.
- Laureus Sport confirmed the nomination on Tuesday.
- Team recorded highest successful run chase in women's ODI history during semi-final win against Australia.
- BCCI announced Rs 51 crore cash prize for the squad after the victory.
- Award winners to be announced at Cibeles Palace in Madrid on April 20, 2026.
- Other nominees include England Women's Football Team, European Ryder Cup Team, McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Paris Saint-Germain.
- The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has inked a Rs 270 crore sponsorship deal with Google's AI platform Gemini.
- The three-year partnership will begin with the 2026 Indian Premier League.
- Gemini's rival ChatGPT is already a sponsor of the ongoing Women's Premier League.
CISF Raising Day observed on March 10
[Central Industrial Security Force]
Key Updates:
- CISF Raising Day is observed on March 10 every year.
- The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was established on March 10, 1969.
- The CISF was created through the CISF Act, 1968 passed by the Indian Parliament.
- At inception the force had a strength of just over 3,000 personnel.
- CISF works under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- The force guards airports, seaports, metro networks, nuclear facilities and government buildings.
- CISF Raising Day is marked with ceremonies, parades, cultural programmes, sports activities, blood donation drives and health camps across the country.
Similar Coverage
- The International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness is observed every year on 5 March to promote better awareness and understanding of disarmament issues among the public, especially young people.
- Global military expenditures reached a record $2.7 trillion in 2024.
- An interactive ballot-box installation at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) Rotunda from 2 to 6 March 2026 invites visitors to vote on global spending priorities and reflect on redirecting resources toward education, health, and climate action.
- The UN General Assembly has held three Special Sessions on Disarmament (SSOD) that shaped the disarmament architecture, yet a fourth session remains elusive since 1995.
- The United Nations Secretary-General’s report titled 'The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future' will be discussed in a virtual briefing on 5 March at 10:15 am Nepal Time.
- UNODA Occasional Paper No. 47, 'Revisiting Consensus in Multilateral Disarmament Discussions: Trends, Challenges and the Way Forward', authored by Adedeji Ebo and Katherine Prizeman, will be launched on 5 March at 3 PM EST at the Dag Hammarskjöld Library.
- A second interactive ballot-box installation will be held at Schwedenplatz, Vienna, on 5 March afternoon to engage the public on global spending priorities.
- On 5 March, the UN Regional Center for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) will meet high-school students from the Sacré-Coeur Avépozo Institute in Togo to discuss small arms, light weapons, and autonomous weapons systems.
- On 6 March, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) will meet high-school students from Hiroshima, Japan, to discuss its work on disarmament and peacebuilding.
- Suzuka Nakamura, a Japanese peace activist and third-generation hibakusha from Nagasaki, was selected as one of the UN Youth Office's 17 Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2025-2027.
- National Safety Day 2026 is observed on 4 March.
- The 2026 theme is 'Engage, Educate & Empower People to Enhance Safety'.
- The day commemorates the founding of the National Safety Council (NSC) of India on 4 March 1966.
- National Safety Day was first observed in 1972.
- The campaign has been extended to the entire month as National Safety Month (NSM) in 2026.
- Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Labour and Employment, chaired the 239th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) in New Delhi.
- The CBT recommended an annual interest rate of 8.25% to be credited to EPF accumulations for the financial year 2025-26.
- The government will officially announce the 8.25% interest rate before EPFO credits it into subscribers' accounts.
- The Board approved a one-time amnesty scheme to address compliance issues arising from trusts recognized by income tax.
- New simplified SOP on EPF exemption and updated EPF, EPS, and EDLI schemes aligned with the Code on Social Security, 2020, were approved to enhance efficiency, transparency, and ease of compliance.
- The CISF Vande Mataram Coastal Cyclothon 2026 was virtually flagged off from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi.
- Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai inaugurated the event as Chief Guest.
- Two CISF cycling teams started simultaneously from Bakkhali, West Bengal and Lakhpat, Gujarat, covering 6,500 km across nine coastal States and two Union Territories.
- The Cyclothon will culminate at Kochi on 22 February 2026.
- Fifty percent of the participating cyclists are women.
- The initiative commemorates 150 years of 'Vande Mataram'.
- CISF has been designated as the Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
- The Cyclothon aligns with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of 'SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region'.
- CISF will adopt 52 coastal villages for year-long engagement and welfare activities.
- Major public events will be held in Mumbai, Goa, Mangaluru, Konark, Visakhapatnam and Chennai.