Daily Current Affairs: 11 March 2026

Pieter Elbers resigns as IndiGo CEO

[IndiGo]

Key Updates:

• Pieter Elbers resigned as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IndiGo with immediate effect on 10 March 2026 citing personal reasons.
• Rahul Bhatia, promoter and Managing Director (MD) of IndiGo, will serve as interim CEO until a new leader is appointed.
• Elbers had been appointed IndiGo CEO in September 2022 after Ronojoy Dutta’s tenure from 2019 to 2022.
• Under Elbers, IndiGo placed a record order for 500 aircraft to support aggressive domestic and international expansion.
• Following IndiGo’s December 2025 operational meltdown, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed a ₹22.2 crore penalty on the airline.

Amol Palekar to be Honoured with Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) Lifetime Achievement Award 2026

Key Updates:

• Veteran actor and filmmaker Amol Palekar will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 21st edition of META in New Delhi.
• The 21st edition of the festival, instituted by the Mahindra Group and produced by Teamwork Arts, will be held from 19 March to 25 March 2026.
• The jury panel for the 2026 awards includes Amal Allana, Anuradha Kapur, Rajit Kapur, Satish Alekar, and Ila Arun.
• The festival received a record 422 submissions from over 20 states and 100 cities, featuring productions in nearly 60 languages and dialects.
• Ten productions have been shortlisted to compete in 13 categories at venues including Kamani Auditorium and Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts.
• The competitive categories include Best Production, Best Director, Best Stage Design, Best Light Design, Best Sound & Music Design, Best Costume Design, Best Actor in a Lead Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Original Script, Best Ensemble, and Best Choreographer.
• Amol Palekar is recognised for his work in Hindi cinema during the 1970s, including films such as Chhoti Si Baat, Chitchor, Bhumika, Baaton Baaton Mein, and Gol Maal.
• He is also noted for expanding the reach of theatre by performing in alternative spaces such as parks, terraces, canteens, and garages.

Shri C. R. Paatil Launches Jal Mahotsav 2026 as Union Minister of Jal Shakti

[Gujarat]

Key Updates:

• Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C. R. Paatil, launched the Jal Mahotsav 2026, organised by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), from Rahej village in the Navsari district of Gujarat.
• Minister of State, Shri V. Somanna, led the simultaneous launch of the nationwide campaign activities in Maharashtra.
• Minister of State, Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, presided over the start of the water management initiative in Bihar.
• Additional Secretary and Mission Director Shri Kamal Kishore Soan attended the launch ceremony which included the formal handover of water assets to Gram Panchayats (GPs).
• Gujarat state ministers Shri Ishvarsingh Patel and Shri Nareshbhai Patel participated in the event which featured the screening of a film titled Sujalam Shakti Diwas.
• Shri C. R. Paatil felicitated community contributors, including members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), pump operators, and village volunteers, for maintaining rural water systems.
• Shri C. R. Paatil noted that over 24 lakh women are currently engaged in water quality testing under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
• Shri C. R. Paatil highlighted how the JJM and Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) have improved health and dignity in rural India.

Ministry of Power (MoP) targets 143 GW inter-regional transmission capacity by 2027

[Ministry of Power]

Key Updates:

• Union Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik informed the Rajya Sabha that India's inter-regional transmission capacity is set to reach 143 GW by 2027 and 168 GW by 2032.
• The inter-regional transmission capacity of the National Grid stood at 120 GW as of December 2025.
• The expansion of the National Grid is aimed at meeting a projected peak electricity demand of 388 GW by 2032.
• Under the National Electricity Plan (NEP) Volume II Transmission, the transmission network of 220 kV and above is planned to expand to 6.48 lakh ckm by 2032.
• The transformation capacity is projected to increase to 2,345 Giga Volt Ampere (GVA) by 2032.
• Right-of-Way (RoW) issues have impacted the project timelines of 25 Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) projects.

Mangan district administration and Sikkim Tourism Department resume tourist permits for Lachen and Gurudongmar Lake.

[Sikkim]

Key Updates:

• Tourist permits for Lachen and Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim resumed from 9 March 2026.
• Permits had been suspended after the South Lhonak glacial lake outburst flood in October 2023 damaged roads and bridges across North Sikkim.
• Applications for permits can be submitted through the district collectorate in Mangan or authorised tour operators as per government guidelines.
• Mangan District Collector Anant Jain confirmed that permits would be issued from Monday.
• A newly constructed 400-foot Bailey suspension bridge over the Taram Chu on the Chungthang-Lachen road has a load capacity of 12 tonnes and allows only one light vehicle at a time.
• Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth opened the bridge for regulated vehicular movement last month.

Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) oversees expansion of 20-plus expressways

[Uttar Pradesh]

Key Updates:

• Uttar Pradesh has more than 20 expressways operational, under construction, or in the planning stage.
• Yamuna Expressway spans 165.5 km with six lanes, completed in 2012 at an estimated cost of ₹13,300 crore.
• Agra–Lucknow Expressway stretches 302 km and reduced travel time between Agra and Lucknow to about three and a half hours.
• Purvanchal Expressway covers 340 km, connecting Lucknow to Ghazipur and passing through Sultanpur, Azamgarh, and Ambedkar Nagar districts.
• Bundelkhand Expressway is 296 km long and supports the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor.
• Ganga Expressway will connect Meerut to Prayagraj over 594 km and is expected to be completed around 2026.
• Proposed expressways include Lucknow–Kanpur, Ghaziabad–Kanpur, Ayodhya–Varanasi, Gorakhpur–Siliguri, and Gorakhpur–Shamli corridors.
• Total expressway length in Uttar Pradesh could exceed 3,000 kilometres once upcoming projects are completed.

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.

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.

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.

Mizoram Assembly resolution seeks inclusion of Mizo language in 8th Schedule of Constitution

[Mizoram]

Key Updates:

• The Mizoram Assembly will deliberate an official resolution on Monday to include the Mizo language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.
• School Education Minister Vanlalthlana will move the resolution after the question hour.
• Mizo is the official language of Mizoram since 1974 and serves as the lingua franca of various Mizo tribes.
• Chief Minister Lalduhoma held consultations in January with the Eighth Schedule Study Group of the Mizo Language Development Board (MLDB).
• The study group reported overwhelming consensus among organisations and ethnic Mizo communities for inclusion of Mizo in the 8th Schedule.
• A previous proposal for inclusion was submitted to the Centre but was not vigorously pursued.

Maharashtra Land Revenue Code and Stamp Amendment Bills 2026 unlock grazing land for public works and speed up stamp duty refunds

[Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

• Maharashtra Legislative Assembly passed the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code Amendment Bill 2026 allowing municipal corporations, municipal councils and municipal areas to use uncultivated grazing land (gairan) within their jurisdiction for public purpose projects while ownership remains with the state government.
• The available land pool comprises about 7,700 hectares in municipal corporation areas, around 4,000 hectares in municipal areas and nearly 3,000 hectares in municipal council areas.
• The Assembly also passed the Maharashtra Stamp Amendment Bill 2026 that raises financial limits for stamp duty refund decisions: district collectors can now sanction up to ₹20 lakh, Deputy Inspector General of Registration and Deputy Controller of Stamps up to ₹50 lakh, and Additional Controller of Stamps and Joint Inspector General of Registration and Superintendent of Stamps up to ₹1 crore, while cases above ₹1 crore will continue with the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority.

SHINE Module launched to streamline sexual harassment complaints for female railway employees

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Railways (MoR) will launch the Sexual Harassment Incident Notification for Empowerment (SHINE) module on 8 March, coinciding with International Women's Day.
• The SHINE module is integrated into the Human Resource Management System (HRMS) application to allow female employees to record workplace-related sexual harassment complaints directly.
• The portal enables lodging complaints on behalf of female employees, outside visitors, contractual workers, and students.
• Complaints submitted through the module will be received online by the nominated Internal Complaint (IC) Committee for expeditious and confidential redressal.
• Female employees can access the SHINE module through the Employees Self Service feature within the HRMS portal.

Project GANGA: High-Speed Internet for 20 Lakh Rural Households in Uttar Pradesh

[Uttar Pradesh]

Key Updates:

• The Uttar Pradesh government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the State Transformation Commission (STC) and One OTT Entertainment Limited (OIL), a subsidiary of the Hinduja Group, to implement Project GANGA.
• The initiative aims to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to over 20 lakh households in rural and semi-urban areas over the next two to three years.
• The project is expected to generate more than 1 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities across the state.
• Under the project, 8,000 to 10,000 local entrepreneurs at the Nyaya Panchayat level will be developed as Digital Service Providers (DSPs).
• The government has set a target of 50% participation of women among the digital entrepreneurs to promote women-led entrepreneurship in rural areas.
• The project will focus on providing connectivity to remote and border districts, specifically naming Shravasti, Bahraich, and Balrampur.
• Selected DSPs will receive training, financial assistance, network infrastructure support, and access to modern technology to build digital service networks.
• The initiative complements a scheme launched in January 2024 that provides youth with interest-free and collateral-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh for entrepreneurship.

Nagauri Pan Methi granted Patent under PPVFRA as Community Farmers' Variety

Key Updates:

• The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPVFRA) formally granted a patent to Nagauri Pan Methi (Trigonella corniculata L.) under the community farmers' variety category.
• The patent registration was published in the February 2026 issue of the Plant Variety Journal, conferring statutory ownership and legal rights to the farming community of Nagaur district, Rajasthan.
• The community of farmers, represented by women farmer Geeta Devi, Pradhan of Panchayat Samiti Mundwa, is now the legally recognised custodian and rights holder of the variety.
• Nagauri Methi is cultivated exclusively on more than 7,000 hectares in the Rajasthan regions of Mundwa, Nagaur, Merta City, Jayal, Degana, and Khinvsar.
• During the 2024–25 season, farmers produced approximately 30,000 metric tonnes of dried leaves, generating a total income of around ₹450 crore.
• The South Asia Biotechnology Centre (SABC) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Biotech Kisan Hub provided scientific and field-level evidence for the registration.
• The registration aims to protect farmers against biopiracy and is a primary step towards securing a Geographical Indication (GI) tag and food safety standards from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
• Technical support for the initiative was provided by the ICAR-National Research Centre on Seed Spices and the NABARD-supported Agri Export Facilitation Centre (AEFC).

PM Modi to launch ₹16,450 crore projects in Kerala and Tamil Nadu

[Kerala, Tamil Nadu]

Key Updates:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kerala and Tamil Nadu on 11 March 2026 to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for projects worth ₹16,450 crore.
• In Ernakulam, Kerala, Modi will launch projects worth about ₹10,800 crore, including a 400 kilo tonnes per annum polypropylene unit at Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) Kochi refinery with an investment exceeding ₹5,500 crore.
• Modi will inaugurate the six-laning of the Thalapady–Chengala stretch of National Highway 66 developed at a cost of over ₹2,650 crore and the Kozhikode bypass from Vengalam to Ramanattukara built at about ₹2,140 crore.
• He will inaugurate 23 rural roads constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in Kerala.
• Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, Modi will inaugurate redeveloped Shoranur Junction, Kuttippuram, and Changanassery railway stations and dedicate the Shoranur–Nilambur railway line electrification project.
• He will flag off a new train service between Palakkad and Pollachi and lay the foundation stone for a 50-MW floating solar project in West Kallada, Kollam district.
• In Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, Modi will launch projects worth about ₹5,650 crore, including a city gas distribution network by BPCL in Nilgiris and Erode districts at over ₹3,680 crore to provide piped natural gas to more than 8.8 lakh households and establish over 201 CNG stations.
• He will dedicate Indian Oil Corporation’s lube blending plant at Manali, Chennai, built at about ₹1,490 crore with a capacity of 6,72,000 metric tonnes per annum.
• Modi will inaugurate 89 rural roads covering 370 km under PMGSY in Tamil Nadu and lay the foundation stone for a greenfield bypass near Gangaikonda Cholapuram on National Highway 81.
• He will flag off two Amrit Bharat Express trains, two express trains, and a passenger service to improve rail connectivity between Tamil Nadu and other states.

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.

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.

International Malaria Conference 2026 concludes in New Delhi

Key Updates:

• International Malaria Conference (IMC) 6 organised by ICMR–National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR) concluded in New Delhi on 9 March 2026 after three days of scientific discussions.
• Conference theme was 'Discovery, Development and Delivery: Driving Malaria Elimination and Beyond'.
• Dr Anup Anvikar, Director of ICMR–NIMR, delivered the welcome address.
• Dr Tanu Jain, Director of National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC), attended as a dignitary.
• Discovery sessions covered parasite biology, malaria transmission dynamics, and molecular mechanisms linked to drug resistance.
• Development sessions highlighted next-generation malaria diagnostics, advanced surveillance technologies, and research tools for early detection.
• Delivery sessions focused on translating research into public health solutions, addressing residual transmission, advancing vaccine research, and strengthening community-based control programmes.
• Turbo talks and poster sessions provided a platform for early-career researchers to present work and interact with global experts.

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.

India and Uzbekistan launch pharma-nutra corridor targeting $7–10 billion Eurasian market

[Uzbekistan]

Key Updates:

• India and Uzbekistan launched a structured pharmaceutical and nutraceutical trade corridor on Monday.
• The corridor is backed by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Health, Nutrify Today, and Pharma Eurasia.
• It aims to improve regulatory alignment, investment, and market entry for manufacturers targeting the $7–10 billion Eurasian healthcare market.
• Uzbekistan is positioning itself as a regional gateway through policy reforms, dedicated pharma parks, and investment facilitation.
• The corridor’s commercial execution will take place at Pharma Eurasia 2026 in Tashkent from May 20 to 22.
• The CIS dietary supplements market is estimated at over $5.8 billion annually.

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.

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.

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.

India’s Cheetah Population Reaches 53 as Jwala Delivers Five Cubs at Kuno National Park

Key Updates:

• A Namibian cheetah named Jwala delivered five cubs at Kuno National Park (KNP) on 9 March 2026.
• The birth of the five cubs has increased India’s total cheetah population to 53, crossing the 50-mark for the first time since the reintroduction began.
• This is the third litter delivered by Jwala, who was translocated from Namibia to India in 2022 as part of Project Cheetah.
• With this new litter, the total number of cheetah cubs born on Indian soil has risen to 33 across ten successful litters recorded since the translocation programme started.
• Project Cheetah aims to re-establish the species in India after it was officially declared extinct in the country in 1952.
• The KNP landscape provides a suitable habitat for the cheetahs with prey species including chital and chinkara.

Two rare oarfish, dubbed ‘doomsday fish’, spotted together on Cabo San Lucas beach, Mexico.

[Mexico]

Key Updates:

• Two oarfish were seen struggling near the shore in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, an event described as almost unheard of.
• Beachgoers, including two sisters, attempted to guide both fish back into the sea.
• Oarfish can grow to more than 30 feet in length and normally inhabit the deep ocean, rarely appearing near the surface.
• Sightings of oarfish near coastlines are popularly linked to impending natural disasters, though scientists state there is no evidence supporting a connection to earthquakes or tsunamis.
• The viral video of the incident has garnered nearly two million views on YouTube.

India tests Sheshnaag-150 long-range swarm-attack drone with 1,000 km range

Key Updates:

• Sheshnaag-150 is a long-range swarm-attack drone under development by Bengaluru-based Newspace Research Technologies.
• The drone made its maiden flight about a year ago and is currently undergoing testing and development.
• It has an operational range of over 1,000 km and can remain airborne for more than five hours.
• The platform can carry warheads weighing between 25 kg and 40 kg for precision strikes on infrastructure, vehicles or personnel.
• Development gained urgency after Operation Sindoor when the Indian military asked the company to accelerate work on indigenous long-range swarming strike capability.
• The drone operates as part of a coordinated swarm-attack system using proprietary control software that enables autonomous target identification, tracking and engagement with minimal human supervision.
• Sheshnaag-150 is designed to function even in GPS-denied environments and is likely to adopt a visual navigation system to counter satellite signal jamming.

Forest Survey of India (FSI) halts Anavaran-Deforestation Alert System

[Forest Survey of India]

Key Updates:

• The Forest Survey of India (FSI) has stopped issuing fortnightly alerts through its Anavaran-Deforestation Alert System, with data remaining unupdated since November 2025.
• The Anavaran portal, operational since January 2024, was designed as a pilot project to monitor deforestation in near-real time using satellite data and machine learning.
• The system utilizes the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform and integrates Sentinel-2 satellite images with Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data for continuous monitoring.
• During the 22-month period from January 2024 to October 2025, the FSI issued a total of 12,351 deforestation alerts at a monthly average of 561.
• The states with the highest number of deforestation alerts recorded include Punjab (637), Andhra Pradesh (617), Arunachal Pradesh (611), Nagaland (579), Manipur (577), Uttarakhand (543), Assam (533), Tripura (516), Maharashtra (504), Mizoram (499), Gujarat (498), and Karnataka (450).
• The FSI employs high-resolution satellite imagery at 10-20-metre spatial resolution, including Sentinel 2B (optical), Sentinel 1 (SAR 5m), Sentinel 2 (visible and NIR 10m), RedEdge, and SWIR 20m.
• The FSI also manages the Van Agni portal for forest fire monitoring and the Sachet portal for pre-fire alerts.

ESA’s Proba-3 Coronagraph spacecraft loses contact after February 2026 attitude-control anomaly

[European Space Agency]

Key Updates:

• Proba-3’s Coronagraph spacecraft lost attitude control during 14-15 February 2026, stopping its solar panels from facing the Sun and draining its battery.
• The European Space Agency (ESA) reported the spacecraft entered survival mode and communications with ground control were cut off.
• Proba-3 was launched in 2024 by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and comprises two satellites, the Coronagraph and the Occulter, flying 150 metres apart to create artificial solar eclipses for studying the Sun’s corona.
• ESA mission teams are investigating the anomaly and plan to use the healthy Occulter spacecraft to approach the Coronagraph and assess its orientation to aid recovery efforts.

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.

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.

AquaAirX Autonomous Systems launches Avataar, India's first amphibious drone

Key Updates:

• Bengaluru-based startup AquaAirX Autonomous Systems launched Avataar, India's first amphibious drone capable of both aerial and underwater missions, on March 5, 2026.
• The drone has achieved Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL 6), meaning a functional prototype has been tested in real-world operational environments rather than just controlled tanks.
• The startup secured ₹12.5 crore in seed funding for the project, led by Rainmatter, the investment arm of Zerodha.
• Avataar is constructed with a carbon fibre body to resist saltwater corrosion and uses sound pulses for 3D mapping and communication underwater, functioning like an underwater Wi-Fi system.
• The vehicle is designed for multi-domain operations, including harbour surveillance, subsea pipeline inspection, and search and rescue for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.
• The drone features a safety protocol that prevents it from diving if the battery level is too low to ensure mission reliability.

New Delhi to host 2026 World Para Athletics Grand Prix from 11–13 March

Key Updates:

• The second edition of the New Delhi World Para Athletics Grand Prix will be held from 11 to 13 March 2026.
• Around 257 athletes from eight nations—India, Russia, Nepal, Bhutan, Hong Kong, Serbia, Bosnia, and Egypt—will compete.
• Team India will field the largest contingent with approximately 219 athletes.
• Top Indian para-athletes including Mariyappan Thangavelu, Sumit Antil, Praveen Kumar, Ajeet Singh, Devendra Singh Gurjar, Ankur Dhama, Simran, and Preeti Pal are expected to compete.
• A total of 74 international classification slots will be available: 39 for athletes with physical impairments, 29 for vision impairments, and 6 for intellectual impairments.
• The previous 2025 edition saw India top the medal tally with 134 medals (45 gold, 40 silver, 49 bronze).

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.

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.

International Day of Women Judges observed on 10 March

Key Updates:

• International Day of Women Judges is observed on 10 March every year.
• The day was established by the United Nations (UN) to promote the full and equal participation of women at all levels of the judiciary.
• Europe leads with 54 per cent female judges, followed by the Americas with 51 per cent; Oceania, Africa and Asia average 31 per cent, 30 per cent and 29 per cent respectively.
• The Global Judicial Integrity Network of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) brings together judges worldwide to strengthen judicial integrity and gender equality.
• In 2024 the UNDP–UN Women Gender Justice Platform supported work in 45 countries, helping over 125 000 people and strengthening 82 justice institutions.