Parthanil Ghosh appointed as MD & CEO of HDFC ERGO General Insurance.
[HDFC ERGO General Insurance]
Key Updates:
- Parthanil Ghosh will succeed Anuj Tyagi as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HDFC ERGO General Insurance.
- His appointment is effective from 16 April 2026, subject to clearances from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
- Ghosh joined HDFC ERGO in 2016 after its integration of L&T General Insurance and has served as Executive Director since May 2025.
- He has over 30 years of experience in financial services, including more than 16 years in general insurance.
- During his tenure, he has overseen retail insurance, commercial lines, crop insurance, underwriting, reinsurance strategy, claims management and technology initiatives.
Similar Coverage
- Baroruchi Mishra will assume charge as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Hindustan Oil Exploration Company Ltd (HOEC) from 1 April 2026.
- The Board approved Mishra’s appointment for a term of three consecutive years from 1 April 2026, subject to shareholder approval.
- Current Managing Director Ramasamy Jeevanandam will cease to hold office at the close of business hours on 31 March 2026.
- The Board, on 25 February 2026, also approved Mishra’s redesignation as Non-Executive Non-Independent Director effective the same date, subject to shareholders’ nod.
- Dr. Jagadip Narayan Singh was appointed Additional Director (Non-Executive Independent) and Chairman for a five-year term, subject to shareholder approval through postal ballot.
- Deepak Gupta took over as chairman and managing director of GAIL (India) Limited on Sunday.
- He replaced Sandeep Kumar Gupta who superannuated on February 28.
- Gupta joined GAIL as Director (Projects) in February 2022 and will serve up to February 28, 2029.
- He is a mechanical engineer from Delhi College of Engineering and has 32 years of prior experience at Engineers India Limited (EIL).
- Under his leadership GAIL completed the Dabhol breakwater project of Konkan LNG, enabling all-weather operations.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the re-appointment of Kaizad Bharucha as the Whole-time Director and Deputy Managing Director of HDFC Bank.
- The re-appointment is for a tenure of 3 years, effective from April 19, 2026.
- Shares of HDFC Bank closed at ₹931.15 on the BSE, reflecting an increase of 0.38 per cent.
- Lodha signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government to invest ₹1 trillion in a data centre park.
- RMZ partnered with the Andhra Pradesh government to facilitate investments totaling up to $10 billion.
- Eternal recorded a 73 per cent increase in Q3 FY26 profit to ₹102 crore, while revenue grew by 202 per cent.
- The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has recommended Hitesh Rameshchandra Joshi for the position of Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re).
- The FSIB conducted an interface with five eligible candidates on 24 February 2026 before making the recommendation.
- Hitesh Rameshchandra Joshi currently serves as the Executive Director with additional charge of CMD at GIC Re.
- Joshi holds a postgraduate degree in Accountancy from Mumbai University and a Master’s Degree in Financial Management from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies.
- He is a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of India.
International Energy Agency (IEA) authorises release of 400 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves
[International Energy Agency]
Key Updates:
- The International Energy Agency (IEA) has agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from its members’ strategic reserves to counter soaring global energy prices.
- This emergency collective action is significantly larger than the 182 million barrels of oil released by IEA member countries in 2022.
- IEA member countries currently hold more than 1.2 billion barrels of emergency oil stocks and 600 million barrels of industry stocks held under government obligation.
- The United Kingdom (UK) will contribute 13.5 million barrels of oil to the collective release.
- South Korea has announced a contribution of 22.46 million barrels of oil from its strategic reserves.
- Germany, Austria, and Japan have also committed to releasing parts of their oil reserves following the IEA request.
- International benchmark Brent crude oil prices surged by more than 25 percent since 28 February 2026, reaching a peak of $119 per barrel.
- The IEA reserves were established in 1974 following the Arab oil embargo to respond to global oil supply disruptions.
Similar Coverage
- India’s foreign exchange reserves rose $4.885 billion to an all-time high of $728.494 billion in the week ended 27 February 2026.
- Foreign currency assets, the largest component, increased $561 million to $573.125 billion during the same week.
- Gold reserves surged $4.141 billion to $131.630 billion, according to RBI data.
- Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) grew $26 million to $18.87 billion.
- India’s reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) climbed $158 million to $4.87 billion.
- Kharg Island is a coral island located 25 km off the Iranian coast in the Persian Gulf, serving as the country's primary crude oil export terminal.
- The facility handles approximately 90% of Iran’s crude exports and has the capacity to load up to 7 million barrels of oil per day.
- Developed in the 1960s with assistance from the United States (US) company Amoco, the terminal is connected to southern Iranian oilfields via subsea pipelines.
- Satellite imagery from the European Union (EU) Copernicus Browser showed a very-large crude carrier at the island on 2 March during the US and Israel military campaign titled Operation Epic Fury.
- The island is situated near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy chokepoint that facilitates one-fifth of global oil shipments, primarily to Asian markets including China.
- White House energy adviser Jarrod Agen indicated that US strategic goals could involve seizing the island to restrict Iran's oil revenues.
- The Central Government invoked the Essential Commodities Act (EC Act) to ensure uninterrupted supply of domestic cooking gas amid Middle East conflict disrupting oil and gas supply.
- Priority sectors for 100 per cent of past six-month average natural gas consumption are: Domestic Piped Natural Gas supply, Compressed Natural Gas for transport, LPG production including LPG shrinkage requirements, Pipeline compressor fuel, other essential pipeline operational requirements.
- Fertilizer plants must receive natural gas supply at 70 per cent of their past six-month average consumption, subject to operational availability.
- Tea industries, manufacturing and other industrial consumers via the national gas grid, and all City Gas Distribution industrial and commercial consumers must receive 80 per cent of their past six-month average gas consumption, subject to operational availability.
- Oil refining companies were ordered to absorb LNG supply disruption impact by reducing gas allocation to refineries to approximately 65 per cent of past six-month consumption, subject to operational feasibility.
- All natural gas producers, importers, transporters, marketers or distributors must furnish information on production, imports, stocks, allocation, supply and consumption to the Central Government or authorised officer.
- The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas directed oil refineries to maximise LPG production and divert extra output specifically for domestic use.
- A 25-day inter-booking period for consumers was introduced to prevent hoarding and black marketing.
- India's Foreign Exchange (Forex) reserves decreased by $2.119 billion to stand at $723.608 billion for the week ending 20 February 2026.
- The reserves had reached an all-time high of $725.727 billion in the preceding reporting week following an increase of $8.663 billion.
- The Indian Steel Association (ISA) reported that India could achieve a 28% reduction in carbon emissions within the steel industry by utilizing scrap.
- Warner Bros signed a $110 billion deal with Paramount after Netflix withdrew its competing bid.
- Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) acquired assets from Macquarie AirFinance for a total value of $7 billion.
- Sri Lanka's construction Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to a level of 75 during the month of January.
- Pakistan's central bank recorded a $16 million increase in its foreign exchange reserves.
- Russia's recoverable oil reserves are currently estimated at 31 billion tons.
- China has abolished the risk reserve requirement ratio for forward foreign exchange sales.
- Metal Park has entered into a partnership with Frindt to digitise laser cutting operations.
- Kametstal paid approximately UAH 2 billion in taxes during the year 2025.
- Murat Ateş was appointed as the Deputy General Manager of Operations at Acarlar Vagon.
- The level of gas reserves at the Inchukalna underground storage facility has fallen below 20%.
- Shanxi Gaoyi Steel successfully completed the hot commissioning test for its 1200mm full continuous wide strip rolling line.
- The Slovak prime minister stated that Ukraine has no interest in resuming oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) data shows India displaces China as largest cotton products exporter to US in 2025
[United States Department of Agriculture, China]
Key Updates:
- India displaced China as the largest supplier of cotton products such as apparel and home textiles to the United States during 2025.
- US cotton product imports from India were around 0.6 million tonnes in 2025.
- US cotton product imports from China reduced to about 0.5 million tonnes in 2025.
- US cotton product imports remained flat at 3.3 million tonnes in calendar year 2025.
- US announced several rounds of tariffs on China ranging from 10-125 per cent.
- Other suppliers gaining US market share include Vietnam, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Mexico and Cambodia.
- US cotton product imports from China have dropped 60 per cent since peaking in 2010.
- US retail sales at clothing stores rose 5 per cent to a new record in 2025.
- Global cotton production for 2025-26 is forecast up 1.1 million bales to 121 million bales.
- Global cotton consumption is forecast down more than 0.1 million bales to 118.6 million.
- Global cotton trade is raised by 0.2 million bales to 43.9 million.
- Global ending stocks are raised nearly 1.3 million bales to 76.4 million.
Similar Coverage
- Rajasthan led India’s wool production in FY24 with 16,013.50 thousand kg, accounting for 47.53% of national output.
- Jammu & Kashmir ranked second with 7,770 thousand kg (23.06%), followed by Karnataka third with 6,472 thousand kg.
- The complete top 10 list is: Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana.
- India’s total wool production in FY24 was 33.69 million kg, with Carpet Grade comprising 85%, Apparel Grade 5%, and Coarser Grade 10%.
- Punjab recorded the highest annual growth rate at 22.04%, followed by Tamil Nadu at 17.19% and Gujarat at 3.20%.
- India has 77.4 million sheep, the world’s second-largest sheep population, and ranks ninth globally in wool production.
- Around 1.2 million people work in the organised wool sector and nearly 2 million in related industries, with carpet weaving alone employing about 0.3 million.
- 75% of India’s agricultural exports to the United States will now attract zero tariff, according to a State Bank of India (SBI) report.
- USD 1.36 billion worth of Indian agricultural commodities will receive zero additional US duty access.
- India holds a USD 1.3 billion agricultural trade surplus with the United States.
- Key products set to benefit include rice, spices, oilseeds, tea, coffee and fisheries.
- India commands a 24.7% share in US global rice imports, valued at USD 341 million out of USD 1.378 billion total US rice imports.
- India’s share in US coffee, tea, mate and spices imports is 2.8%, worth USD 396 million out of USD 14.026 billion total US imports in the category.
- India holds a 9.6% share in US fish and aquatic invertebrate imports, supplying USD 1.817 billion out of USD 18.848 billion total US imports.
- India’s share in US edible fruit and nuts imports is only USD 39 million out of USD 21.522 billion total US imports.
- India’s share in US edible vegetables and certain roots imports is USD 109 million out of USD 12.402 billion total US imports.
- India’s share in US prepared vegetables, fruit and nuts imports is USD 192 million out of USD 13.774 billion total US imports.
- Across selected categories, India’s agricultural exports to the US total USD 2.894 billion, representing a 3.5% share of overall US imports of USD 81.950 billion.
- India's rice production reached 150.18 million tonnes, exceeding China's 145.28 million tonnes.
- 184 new high-yielding varieties of 25 crops released to boost production and farmers' income.
- Since 1969, a total of 7,205 crop varieties have been notified, including 3,236 approved under the Narendra Modi-led government.
- India transformed from food-deficient to global food provider with abundant foodgrain stocks ensuring food security.
- Newly released varieties include 122 cereals, 6 pulses, 13 oilseeds, 11 fodder crops, 6 sugarcane, 24 cotton, and one each of jute and tobacco.
- Varieties developed by ICAR institutes, state/central agricultural universities, and private seed companies are climate-resilient and pest-disease resistant.
- The Ministry of Textiles (MoT) is organizing a national conference to deliberate on a coordinated national strategy for positioning India as a global textiles manufacturing hub.
- The MoT deliberations align with the national vision of developing a USD 350 billion textile industry and achieving USD 100 billion in textile exports by 2030.
- A conclave on "‘Strengthening and Empowering the Textiles Sector of the North-Eastern Region of India’" will focus on silk, handloom, and bamboo-based textiles.
- The initiative focuses on revitalising traditional textiles with emphasis on handloom and handicrafts for modern markets and the promotion of women-led enterprises.
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitates export of 25 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Joha rice from Assam to UK and Italy.
[Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, United Kingdom, Italy]
Key Updates:
- Assam exported 25 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Joha rice to the United Kingdom and Italy.
- The export was facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Assam state agriculture department.
- Joha rice received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2017.
- Earlier consignments of Joha rice were exported to Vietnam and five West Asian countries: Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.
- One metric tonne was exported to Vietnam and two metric tonnes each to Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.
- The consignment will be transported to Kolkata by road and then shipped to Europe.
Similar Coverage
- The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) inaugurated its Regional Office in Raipur to position Chhattisgarh as a key hub for agricultural and processed food exports.
- The office will serve as a single-point facilitation centre for farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives, exporters, and agri-entrepreneurs, offering export registration, advisory support, market intelligence, certification assistance, infrastructure development, export facilitation, and international market linkages.
- The Raipur office has already facilitated the export of fortified rice kernels from Chhattisgarh to Costa Rica and Papua New Guinea.
- Assam exported 1.2 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Karbi Anglong Ginger to London for the first time.
- Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma flagged the shipment as taking 'Brand Assam to the world'.
- Agriculture Minister Atul Bora flagged off the consignment from Krishi Bhawan, Guwahati.
- The export was facilitated by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in collaboration with NextOn Foods Pvt. Ltd.
- Karbi Anglong Ginger holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its distinctive aroma, fibre content and pungency.
- Food Corporation of India (FCI) and World Food Programme (WFP) signed a five-year MoU for supply of rice to support global humanitarian operations.
- FCI will supply 2 lakh tonnes of rice (up to 25% broken) to WFP under the agreement.
- The price is fixed at Rs 2,800 per quintal up to 31 March 2026 and will be mutually agreed annually thereafter.
- The MoU was signed by Rabindra Kumar Agarwal, CMD, FCI and Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director, WFP in presence of Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution.
- India's rice production reached 150.18 million tonnes, exceeding China's 145.28 million tonnes.
- 184 new high-yielding varieties of 25 crops released to boost production and farmers' income.
- Since 1969, a total of 7,205 crop varieties have been notified, including 3,236 approved under the Narendra Modi-led government.
- India transformed from food-deficient to global food provider with abundant foodgrain stocks ensuring food security.
- Newly released varieties include 122 cereals, 6 pulses, 13 oilseeds, 11 fodder crops, 6 sugarcane, 24 cotton, and one each of jute and tobacco.
- Varieties developed by ICAR institutes, state/central agricultural universities, and private seed companies are climate-resilient and pest-disease resistant.
State Bank of India (SBI) and MUFG Bank Ltd. (MUFG) sign partnership to strengthen India-Japan economic corridor
[State Bank of India, MUFG Bank Ltd., Japan]
Key Updates:
- State Bank of India (SBI) and Japan-based MUFG Bank Ltd. (MUFG) have signed a strategic partnership agreement to advance bilateral financial collaboration.
- The alliance aims to strengthen the India-Japan economic corridor by leveraging the domestic reach of SBI and the global network of MUFG.
- The partnership focuses on facilitating cross-border capital flows and supporting sustainable economic growth for businesses in both nations.
- Collaboration will target specific sectors including Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) advisory, Aviation finance, and Real Estate finance.
- The agreement includes cooperation on trade finance, retail banking solutions, and identifying financing opportunities for Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- The initiative aims to support Japanese corporates expanding in India and Indian enterprises pursuing growth in Japan and other global markets.
Similar Coverage
- The 18th Japan–India Foreign Ministerial Strategic Dialogue was held in New Delhi, marking the substantive core of Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu’s official visit to India.
- Both sides decided to initiate a Private Sector–led Business-to-Business Dialogue on Economic Security in early 2026.
- A Japan–India AI Strategic Dialogue was formally established to cooperate on artificial intelligence governance, innovation, and competitiveness.
- Japan will contribute to India’s upcoming AI Impact Summit in February 2026.
- The next round of Senior Officials’ Talks on Economic Security and the Joint Working Group on Critical Minerals will be convened.
- The Japan–India Startup Support Initiative (JISSI) was reviewed to promote collaboration between Japanese and Indian startups.
- The Japan–India Intellectual Conclave (Kizuna Dialogue) is scheduled in Shillong in February 2026.
- Foreign Minister Motegi called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reaffirming the Japan–India partnership as a 'natural partnership' anchored in shared democratic values and strategic interests.
- State Bank of India (SBI) will sign a €150 million credit line with KfW, the German development bank, for financing climate-friendly energy generation projects.
- The agreement is scheduled to be signed on December 16, 2025, at the KfW headquarters in Frankfurt.
- SBI reported a 3% year-on-year increase in Net Interest Income (NII) to ₹42,985 crore for the quarter ended September.
- The net profit of SBI for the September quarter increased by 10% year-on-year to ₹20,160 crore.
- The shares of SBI have gained 21.91% in the past six months and 21.8% in the year so far.
- Shriram Finance will issue 47.11 crore equity shares at ₹840.93 apiece to Japan’s MUFG Bank.
- MUFG Bank will hold a 20% minority stake in Shriram Finance on a fully diluted basis.
- The deal requires approvals from shareholders and regulators including the Reserve Bank of India and the Competition Commission of India.
- An extraordinary general meeting is scheduled on January 14, 2026, to seek shareholder approval for the preferential issue.
- MUFG will be classified as a public shareholder upon completion of the transaction.
- MUFG will pay a one-time non-compete and non-solicitation fee of $200 million to Shriram Ownership Trust.
- Shriram Finance shares rose 2.62% to ₹892.70 apiece on the BSE after the announcement.
- State Bank of India (SBI) is the only Indian bank with a presence in Israel.
- SBI Tel Aviv has all requisite approvals to facilitate settlement of exports and imports in Indian rupees.
- Israel has been identified as a partner country under the RBI mechanism for rupee trade settlement.
- SBI Tel Aviv is working to streamline rupee remittances for over 40,000 Indian workers in Israel.
- SBI opened its Israel branch in 2007 and operates from the Diamond Exchange in Ramat Gan.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and Infrastructure Projects worth ₹5,650 Crore
[Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana]
Key Updates:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for development projects worth approximately ₹5,650 crore in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, on March 11.
- The Union Cabinet approved the declaration of Madurai Airport as an International Airport to enhance tourism and trade in southern Tamil Nadu.
- Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), 89 rural roads spanning 370 km will be inaugurated to improve connectivity to markets, schools, and healthcare facilities.
- The foundation stone will be laid for the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) City Gas Distribution (CGD) Network in Nilgiris and Erode districts at an investment of over ₹3,680 crore.
- The BPCL project aims to provide Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections to over 8.8 lakh households and establish more than 201 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations.
- A lubricant plant by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) with a capacity of 672 Thousand Metric Tonnes Per Annum (TMTPA) will be dedicated at Manali, Chennai, at a cost of ₹1,490 crore.
- The Prime Minister will flag off two Amrit Bharat Express trains and other rail services to strengthen connectivity between Tamil Nadu and states including Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala.
- A foundation stone will be laid for a greenfield bypass on National Highway 81 (NH-81) near Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
Similar Coverage
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved two railway multitracking projects worth ₹4,474 crore.
- The projects will add fourth lines on the Sainthia–Pakur and Santragachi–Kharagpur routes, adding about 192 km across West Bengal and Jharkhand.
- Proposed by the Ministry of Railways (MoR), the works are scheduled for completion by 2030–31 under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
- The expansion will benefit around 5,652 villages with a combined population of nearly 1.47 crore people.
- Freight movement is expected to rise by about 31 million tonnes annually, saving an estimated six crore litres of oil and cutting carbon emissions by nearly 28 crore kg.
- Tourist spots gaining better rail access include Bolpur-Shantiniketan, Nandikeshwari Temple, Tarapith, Patachitra Gram, Dhadika Forest, Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary, and Rameshwar Kund.
- 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.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ajmer, Rajasthan on 28 February 2026 and launched 43 projects worth ₹16,686 crore across urban development, drinking water, roads, railways, irrigation, energy and industrial infrastructure.
- 34 state projects worth ₹8,554 crore cover urban development, public health engineering, public works, energy, water resources and industries departments.
- Nine national highway and energy projects worth ₹8,132 crore include two foundation stones and seven inaugurations.
- National highway works worth over ₹4,516 crore comprise the four-lane greenfield Bandikui–Jaipur expressway (₹1,207 crore), eight-lane carriageway from NH-76 junction to NH-12 at Ummedpura village under Delhi-Vadodara Access Controlled Greenfield Expressway Package 14, and statewide highway widening.
- Urban road projects include the Sanganer Flyover to Malpura Gate elevated road in Jaipur (₹286 crore) and the Mahamandir to Akhaliya Chauraha four-lane elevated road in Jodhpur (₹1,243 crore).
- Malbamori–Mangrol–Baran State Highway in Baran district is estimated at ₹322 crore.
- Drinking water initiatives comprise four packages of the Nonera Major Drinking Water Project (₹1,021 crore) and five packages of the Parwan Akawad Major Drinking Water Project (₹2,247 crore).
- A ₹3,616 crore transmission system for renewable energy evacuation and foundation stones for five 220 kV and two 400 kV grid substations were launched.
- Infrastructure and drinking water works in the Jodhpur Pali Marwar Industrial Area were initiated.
- Appointment letters were distributed to 21,863 selected candidates including 3,320 Patwaris, 2,291 contractual Junior Technical Assistants and Account Assistants, 2,590 Livestock Assistants, 3,822 Community Health Officers, and 7,357 Public Health Care Nurses, Medical Lab Technicians, Lab Technicians, Nursing In-charges, Nursing Trainers, Nurses and Nurse Grade-II.
- PM Modi also launched the HPV vaccination drive for girls aged 9–14 to prevent cervical cancer.
- Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia laid the foundation stone for eight development projects worth ₹365 crore in Tripura.
- Five completed projects worth ₹270 crore were inaugurated, including the 13.775 km Jatanbari-Mandirghat via Tirathmukh Road and the 28.90 km improvement of KA Road from Erarpar to Ambassa.
- The 8.00 km Gandacherra-Raishyabari-Narikel Kunja Road will connect tribal habitations to district headquarters.
- The Amarpur (Fatiksagar) to Chabimura connectivity project will boost Tripura’s heritage and tourism potential.
- Under the PM-DevINE scheme, a Solar Micro Grid project will provide clean electricity in remote areas to strengthen education, healthcare and livelihoods.
- Foundation stones were laid for three new road projects costing ₹95 crore: Kowaifung (Panjirai) to Karbook Road (9.10 km), Jampui (PMGSY Point) to Kangrai Road, and Burighat to Sermun-II Road.
- Over the last 12 years, the Central Government has invested more than ₹6.5 lakh crore in the Northeast, with every Central Ministry spending 10 per cent of its budget in the Northeastern States.
UIDAI launches first structured Bug Bounty Programme to strengthen Aadhaar System Security
[Unique Identification Authority of India]
Key Updates:
- The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) launched its first structured Bug Bounty Programme to further strengthen the security of the Aadhaar system.
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) stated that the programme allows cyber security experts to look for possible weaknesses in some of UIDAI’s key digital platforms.
- A panel of 20 experienced security researchers and ethical hackers has been selected to take part in the initiative.
- They will examine UIDAI digital assets such as UIDAI official website, myAadhaar portal and the Secure QR Code application.
Similar Coverage
- The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has partnered with Google to enable residents to locate authorised Aadhaar enrolment and update centres through Google Maps.
- The collaboration will cover more than 60,000 centres nationwide, including dedicated Aadhaar Seva Kendras.
- Google Maps will display specific details for each centre, such as the type of services offered, including adult enrolment, child enrolment, or update-only facilities.
- The platform will provide accessibility information for centres, such as divyang-friendly infrastructure, parking availability, and operating hours.
- Bhuvnesh Kumar, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UIDAI, stated that the initiative aims to enhance transparency and simplify access for Aadhaar holders.
- Future phases of the partnership include integrating Google Business Profile tools for feedback management and exploring direct appointment booking through Google Maps.
- Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) launched a new Aadhaar app and offline verification framework in late January.
- The app allows selective data sharing, such as confirming age without revealing full date of birth, to services like hotels, housing societies, workplaces, and payment devices.
- Ahmedabad City Crime Branch became the first police unit in India to integrate Aadhaar-based offline verification with its guest-monitoring platform PATHIK for hotels and guest accommodations.
- UIDAI is integrating Aadhaar with Google Wallet and discussing similar integration with Apple Wallet, in addition to existing support on Samsung Wallet.
- The new Aadhaar app overtook the older mAadhaar app in monthly downloads, with combined installs rising from nearly 2 million in October to nearly 9 million in December.
- Aadhaar has issued over 1.4 billion identity numbers and handles about 2.5 billion authentication transactions monthly.
- Civil liberties groups warn the expansion risks reintroducing private-sector Aadhaar use barred by a 2018 Supreme Court judgment and raises concerns over data protection and consent.
- UIDAI launched the Aadhaar mascot 'Udai' as a resident-facing communication companion to simplify public understanding of Aadhaar services.
- The mascot will support clearer communication on services such as Aadhaar updates, authentication, offline verification, selective data sharing, adoption of new technologies, and responsible usage.
- UIDAI selected the mascot through an open national design and naming competition conducted on the MyGov platform, receiving 875 entries from across the country.
- Arun Gokul from Thrissur, Kerala, won the first prize in the mascot design competition, and Riya Jain from Bhopal won the first prize in the naming competition.
- The Delhi government has launched the Bhu-Aadhaar initiative to assign a unique 14-digit identification number to every land parcel in the city to resolve boundary disputes.
- The Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN), dubbed Bhu-Aadhaar, is part of the central government's Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) launched in 2021.
- The implementation of the project is being handled by the IT branch of the revenue department with support from the Survey of India (SoI).
- A new digital land map of Delhi will be prepared using drone surveys and high-resolution imaging to generate accurate ULPINs.
- Approximately 2 terabytes (TB) of geospatial data and drone-based Ortho Rectified Images (ORI) are being obtained from the SoI for the project.
- The initiative covers all areas of Delhi, including 48 villages already integrated under the Survey of Villages Abadi and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA) scheme.
- A pilot project was successfully completed in Tilangpur Kotla village in West Delhi district, resulting in the generation of 274 ULPIN records.
- The government has allocated ₹1.32 crore for the project to ensure transparency, curb fraudulent transactions, and facilitate coordination among departments.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare releases Second Advance Estimates of Production of major agricultural crops Kharif & Rabi for 2025-26
[Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare]
Key Updates:
- Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan approved the second advance estimate of crop production for 2025-26.
- The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) released the estimates covering both Kharif and Rabi seasons.
- India’s combined kharif and rabi foodgrain output is projected 3% higher at 349 million tonnes in 2025-26.
Similar Coverage
- India’s rabi sowing for 2025-26 rose 2.8% to 64.42 million hectares, exceeding the seasonal average of 63.78 million hectares.
- The increase was driven by higher acreage under wheat, rice, pulses, and oilseeds, with wheat coverage up by 613,000 hectares.
- The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare released the data, attributing the rise to adequate soil moisture from an above-normal monsoon.
- Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the implementation of a new Seed Act and a revised Pesticide Act.
- The announcement was made during a press conference in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, to improve agricultural production and farmers' income.
- The Central Government is updating a digital platform under the Ek Bharat initiative to provide a single-point information source for farmers.
- An Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based system has been developed to facilitate access to essential agricultural information.
- The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), Argentina, have signed a Work Plan 2025-2027 to strengthen bilateral cooperation in agricultural research, capacity building, and technology exchange.
- The Work Plan establishes collaboration across natural resource management, sustainable agronomy including zero tillage, mechanisation, micro-irrigation and fertigation, crop and animal biotechnology, livestock improvement, production technologies for temperate and tropical crops, digital agriculture, biosafety and phytosanitary measures, and value chain development.
- Implementation will be through joint research, germplasm exchange, expert engagements, and structured training and study visits.
- Germplasm exchange will include soybean, sunflower, maize, blueberry, citrus, wild papaya species, guava, and select vegetable crops.
- Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the India–Argentina scientific partnership and agreed to annual monitoring and review to ensure effective implementation and progress.
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman allocated ₹1,62,671 crore to the agriculture sector in Union Budget 2026-27, a 7% rise from 2025-26’s revised estimate of ₹1,51,853 crore.
- The government will support high-value crops such as coconut, sandalwood, cocoa, cashew, agarwood, walnut, almond and pine nut under dedicated programmes for rejuvenating old orchards and expanding high-density cultivation.
- A new coconut promotion scheme targets replacing non-productive trees with improved varieties in major coconut-growing states, benefiting around 30 million people including nearly 10 million farmers.
- A dedicated programme for Indian cashew and cocoa aims to make India self-reliant in raw material production and processing and to establish these products as premium global brands by 2030.
- Sandalwood cultivation will receive focused support through partnerships with state governments to promote scientific farming and post-harvest processing.
- The Budget proposes integrated development of 500 reservoirs and water bodies to strengthen the fisheries value chain, with emphasis on market linkages and support to startups, women-led groups and fish farmer producer organisations.
- A credit-linked subsidy programme will be introduced for animal husbandry to promote entrepreneurship, modernise livestock enterprises and scale up integrated value chains across dairy, poultry and livestock sectors.
- The government announced the launch of Bharat Vistar, a multilingual AI tool integrating AgriStack portals and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) practices to deliver customised advisory support and boost farm productivity.
WHO Foundation–Novo Nordisk initiative to prevent childhood obesity through school-based programmes
[World Health Organization Foundation, Novo Nordisk]
Key Updates:
- The WHO Foundation and Novo Nordisk have launched a joint initiative in India to prevent childhood obesity through school-based programmes.
- The initiative aligns with the Indian government’s Ayushman Bharat School Health and Wellness Programme and WHO’s Health Promoting Schools framework.
- It aims to provide financial support for obesity prevention and strengthen health-system readiness.
- The project focuses on promoting early-life healthy environments and integrating health education in schools.
Similar Coverage
- A study published in the journal Metabolism, based on Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 data, warns of rapidly rising metabolic diseases across the Asia-Pacific.
- High blood pressure is the largest disease burden in the region, responsible for over 6.2 million deaths and 138 million years of healthy life lost in 2023.
- Approximately 310 million people in the Asia-Pacific live with type-2 diabetes, resulting in more than 1.1 million deaths last year.
- In India, type-2 diabetes accounted for over 21 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and nearly 5.8 lakh deaths in 2023.
- Obesity was linked to around 55 million DALYs and approximately 1.3 million deaths across the region in 2023.
- India, China, and Indonesia carry the largest shares of the metabolic disease burden in the region.
- The burden of metabolic conditions has grown between 1.7 and nearly four times across different diseases since 1990.
- Most metabolic risks are projected to continue rising across the Asia-Pacific region until at least 2030.
- NITI Aayog and UNICEF India signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) to support strategic interventions in aspirational districts and aspirational blocks.
- The SOI was signed by Rohit Kumar, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme at NITI Aayog, and Arjan de Wagt, Deputy Representative at UNICEF India.
- UNICEF India will provide technical expertise and channel CSR funds into nutrition-focused initiatives through its platform IMPAct4Nutrition (I4N).
- The partnership will focus on strengthening Anganwadi infrastructure, enhancing nutrition literacy, improving uptake of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and building capacity of frontline workers.
- The agreement aims to promote multi-stakeholder engagement and strengthen implementation systems for nutrition and health interventions at the block level.
- India ranks second globally in childhood obesity after China, overtaking the United States, according to the World Obesity Atlas 2026.
- In 2025, India had 14.9 million children aged 5–9 and over 26 million aged 10–19 who were overweight or obese.
- By 2040, India is projected to have 20 million children living with obesity and 56 million either overweight or obese.
- The World Obesity Atlas 2026 predicts BMI-attributed hypertension in Indian children will rise from 2.99 million to 4.21 million between 2025 and 2040.
- Hyperglycaemia cases are projected to increase from 1.39 million to 1.91 million, and high triglycerides from 4.39 million to 6.07 million in the same period.
- India leads the WHO South-East Asia Region with over 45 million young people aged 0–19 overweight or obese.
- The World Obesity Federation (WOF) warns India is among the fastest-rising countries, with nearly 5% annual increase in childhood overweight and obesity.
- Only 35.5% of Indian school-age children receive school meals, and 74% of adolescents aged 11–17 fail to meet recommended physical activity levels.
- The Atlas urges stronger prevention policies, including healthier school food environments, protection from marketing of unhealthy foods, and taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages.
- World Obesity Day is observed annually on 4 March and led by the World Obesity Federation.
- The 2026 theme is '8 Billion Reasons to Change the Story'.
- World Obesity Day was first launched in 2015 and has been observed globally on 4 March since 2020.
- According to the World Obesity Atlas 2026, around 180 million children aged 5–19 were living with obesity in 2025 and the number could rise to about 227 million by 2040.
- National survey data show that 24 per cent of women and 22.9 per cent of men in India are overweight or obese.
- The World Obesity Atlas 2026 reports that nearly 14.9 million Indian children aged 5–9 years and more than 26.4 million aged 10–19 years were living with overweight or obesity in 2025.
India cosponsors UNSC resolution condemning Iran's attacks on GCC and Jordan
[United Nations Security Council, Gulf Cooperation Council, Jordan]
Key Updates:
- India joined more than 130 countries in co-sponsoring the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution led by Bahrain condemning Iran's attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan.
- The 15-member UNSC adopted the resolution with 13 votes in favour, none against, while China and Russia abstained.
- The resolution condemned in the strongest terms Iran's attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, calling them a breach of international law.
- It demanded the immediate cessation of all attacks by Iran against GCC countries and Jordan and warned against threats to close the Strait of Hormuz.
- The resolution expressed solidarity with affected countries and their people, especially regarding attacks on residential areas and civilian infrastructure.
- US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz stated the resolution was a direct condemnation of the Iranian regime by Gulf countries and accused Iran of targeting civilian populations.
- Iran's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, criticised the resolution as unjust and unlawful, alleging US and Israeli strikes had killed over 1,348 civilians and damaged nearly 19,734 civilian sites since 28 February.
Similar Coverage
- India and 50 other countries abstained from a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) draft resolution calling for an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
- Titled Support for Lasting Peace in Ukraine, the resolution was adopted by the 193 members of the UNGA on February 24, 2026, marking four years of the conflict.
- The resolution received 107 votes in favour, 12 against, and 51 abstentions.
- The draft was introduced by Ukraine along with Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States (US).
- The resolution reaffirmed support for the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, including territorial waters.
- It urged the full exchange of prisoners of war and the return of all unlawfully detained persons and deported civilians, including children.
- The document expressed deep concern over intensified attacks by Russia on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and critical energy facilities in Ukraine.
- India paid USD 35.18 million to the UN Regular Budget for 2026 on 3 February 2026.
- The UN Committee on Contributions listed 47 Member States that paid their regular budget assessments in full within the 30-day due period.
- India is now part of the UN 'honour roll' of Member States that have paid their dues on time.
- India participated as an observer in the first meeting of the Board of Peace convened by United States (US) President Donald Trump.
- The meeting was held at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace on 19 February 2026, focusing on the reconstruction of Gaza and the mobilisation of an international stabilisation force.
- Namgya C Khampa, the Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington DC, represented India at the proceedings.
- India is one of 12 countries participating as observers, a group that includes Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (UK).
- More than 40 countries and the European Union (EU) sent officials to the meeting, which the US President referred to as the Gaza peace plan.
- Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the event as a member of the board alongside other participating world leaders.
- India joined more than 100 countries and international organisations in endorsing a joint statement at the United Nations (UN) condemning Israel's efforts to consolidate control over the West Bank.
- The joint statement asserts that Israeli actions violate international law and undermine prospects for peace and stability in the region.
- The declaration calls for the immediate reversal of unilateral Israeli measures aimed at expanding presence in the West Bank.
- The statement firmly opposes any form of annexation and rejects measures intended to alter the demographic composition, character, and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.
- Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Israel next week and is expected to address the Israeli parliament.
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovers two new lichen moth species in eastern Himalayas
[Zoological Survey of India]
Key Updates:
- The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) identified two new lichen moth species named Caulocera hollowayi and Asura buxa.
- Caulocera hollowayi was discovered in Sikkim and Asura buxa in West Bengal.
- The findings were documented in the journal Zootaxa by a team of Indian researchers.
- Lichen moth caterpillars feed on lichens, making the moths indicators of environmental health and air quality in Himalayan ecosystems.
Similar Coverage
- Entomologists identified two new fruit-fly species, Acidoxantha paratotoflava and Hemilea suneriae, in the Solan region of Himachal Pradesh.
- Acidoxantha paratotoflava is a medium-sized greenish-yellow fly with four black thoracic stripes and larger abdominal black spots, plus unique hook-like male structures.
- Hemilea suneriae is a reddish-brown fly with prominent black dots and a single clear wing window, named in memory of Maneesh Pal Singh’s mother Verma Suneri.
- The study recorded the genus Rhagoletis in India for the first time, a group globally known for infesting fruit crops.
- Researchers captured and described the male of Euphranta nigripeda, previously known only from females since 1913.
- The team used sweep nets and the patented female attractant Solan Bait to lure the elusive flies for examination.
- Host plants identified include the Silk Cotton tree (Bombax ceiba), aiding ecosystem understanding.
- Researchers discovered two new moniligastrid earthworm species in Silent Valley National Park, part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) in the Western Ghats.
- The species are Moniligaster girishi and Drawida reynoldsi, belonging to the family Moniligastridae.
- Moniligaster girishi was collected from tropical wet evergreen forest near Chembotti.
- Drawida reynoldsi was collected from montane grassland between Sispara and Anginda.
- Moniligaster girishi is named after P. Girish Kumar, scientist at the Zoological Survey of India’s Western Ghats Regional Centre, Kozhikode.
- Drawida reynoldsi is named after John Warren Reynolds, Canadian earthworm specialist.
- India’s recognised moniligastrid fauna now totals 95 species, with 70 species reported from the Western Ghats.
- Kerala hosts the highest moniligastrid species richness among Western Ghats states, with 30 Drawida and 13 Moniligaster species.
- Nilgiri Hills harbour about 43% (16 species) of Tamil Nadu’s 37 recorded moniligastrid species.
- The discovery is published in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa.
- Scientists have identified a new ant species named Polyrhachis garbhangaensis in the Garbhanga Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, Assam.
- The species belongs to the rare mucronata group of spiny ants and represents only the third species of this group ever recorded in India.
- The discovery was led by the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru, and the formal description was published in the journal Asian Myrmecology on 30 January.
- The ant measures approximately 5.6 millimetres in length and is distinguished by a bright yellow-orange abdomen and curved spines on its body.
- Assam is a major centre of diversity for this genus, accounting for 21 of the more than 70 known Polyrhachis species recorded in India.
- The research team also recorded an ant-mimicking spider in the same area, suggesting complex predator-prey relationships within the urban-adjacent forest ecosystem.
- Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) discovered a new flowering plant species named Strobilanthes riteshii in Arunachal Pradesh.
- The species was identified near Chayangtajo village in the East Kameng district at an elevation of approximately 1,600 metres.
- The plant is named in honour of Dr Ritesh Kumar Choudhary, a taxonomist from the ARI, for his contributions to plant taxonomy and molecular systematics.
- Researchers recorded fewer than 25 mature individuals of the species, leading to its provisional assessment as Data Deficient under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria.
- The discovery was published in the Indian Journal of Forestry by a team including researchers from the BSI and ARI Pune.
- India hosts approximately 168 species of the genus Strobilanthes, with Arunachal Pradesh alone home to at least 44 species.
- The species is genetically distinct but closely related to plants found in India, China, and Tibet, highlighting the eastern Himalaya as a key biogeographical corridor.
- Conservation efforts have commenced with individuals of the species being maintained at the BSI Arunachal Pradesh Regional Centre.
Sagar Defence Engineering (SDE) Lays Foundation for World's First Autonomous Maritime Shipbuilding Centre in Andhra Pradesh
[Sagar Defence Engineering, Andhra Pradesh]
Key Updates:
- Sagar Defence Engineering (SDE) laid the foundation stone for the world's first Autonomous Maritime Shipbuilding and Systems Centre at Juvvaladinne fishing harbour in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh.
- The Government of Andhra Pradesh authorised the allocation of 29.58 acres of land for the project to enable direct sea access for vessel construction, testing, and deployment.
- The centre will focus on developing platforms such as Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), and intelligent navigation systems.
- The facility will deploy digital twin technology to create virtual replicas of vessels and shipyard infrastructure for performance simulation and design optimisation.
- Manufacturing operations will include robotic fabrication systems for automated welding, cutting, painting, and assembly.
- The shipyard will utilise Autonomous Material Handling (AMH) systems, including robots and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), to transport components.
- The facility will employ additive manufacturing (3D printing) for the rapid production of specialised maritime components and spare parts.
- The initiative aims to support smart fishing fleet networks by providing real-time fish location maps and weather alerts through satellite and cloud-based systems.
Similar Coverage
- Indian Navy concluded a contract on 02 Mar 2026 with M/s Shoft Shipyard Private Limited, Thane (MSME Shipyard) for construction of 04 X 500T Self Propelled Fuel Barges.
- The barges will be built under the Classification Rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
- Their primary role is replenishment of fuel to ships and submarines in harbour and at anchorage.
- The project supports Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives and aligns with Maritime India Vision 2030.
- Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd has been allotted 29.58 acres of land at the Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour in Bogolu Mandal, SPSR Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, for setting up the world’s first autonomous maritime shipyard and systems centre.
- The facility is envisioned as a pioneering hub that will accelerate innovation, reshape industrial practices, and set new international benchmarks in autonomous maritime technology.
- The integrated R&D and testing ecosystem is poised to benefit sectors such as logistics, fisheries, disaster response, and port operations.
- A dedicated Maritime Test Centre within the project will support end-to-end autonomous system research, development, prototyping, and validation.
- The Union Cabinet approved the ₹19,989 crore Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SDS) to create 3-4 greenfield shipbuilding clusters, one per state.
- An equal joint venture between V O Chidambaram Port Authority and State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited (SIPCOT) formed the first Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) named National Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries Park, Tamil Nadu (NSHIP, TN).
- The SPV will develop a mega shipbuilding cluster at Thoothukudi on 2,000 acres with a 2 km waterfront, including 1,000 acres for shipyards and 1,000 acres for ancillary industries and common facilities.
- Each cluster will target 1.2 million GT annual capacity, with at least one anchor yard of 0.5 million GT to be achieved within 10 years of commissioning.
- The scheme provides 100 per cent capital grant for eligible components of approved greenfield clusters.
- Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA), Chennai Port Authority, and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL) signed an agreement on Tuesday to form Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL).
- The agreement provides for joint funding of up to ₹15,000 crore for eligible projects aimed at port capacity expansion under the Sagarmala Programme and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
- India will place orders for 15 domestically manufactured container vessels through BCSL during fiscal 2026-27 as part of a strategy to procure 51 vessels in the next five years under phase one.
- The initiative is aligned with the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme (CMAS) announced in Union Budget 2026-27.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) utilises Devon Island for Mars simulation research
[National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Canada]
Key Updates:
- Devon Island, located in Nunavut, Canada, is the world's largest uninhabited island and serves as a primary site for Mars research.
- The island is classified as a polar desert, characterized by freezing temperatures, extreme dryness, and a lack of vegetation.
- The Haughton Impact Crater, a 20-kilometre-wide formation on the island, is used to simulate the cratered terrain of Mars.
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) uses the island to test next-generation hardware, including analogue pressurised rovers, autonomous drones, and deep-drilling systems.
- The Haughton-Mars Project (HMP) conducts the Arthur Clarke Mars Greenhouse experiment to study plant growth in sterile, Mars-like soil.
- Scientists study endolithic colonisation on the island, a process where microorganisms survive extreme ultraviolet (UV) radiation by living inside rocks.
Similar Coverage
- Paleontologists from the University of Washington (UW) and the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture have identified a new ancient reptile species named Sonselasuchus cedrus.
- The species belongs to the shuvosaurid group and existed during the Late Triassic period, approximately 225 to 201 million years ago.
- Fossils of the reptile were discovered in the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, United States (US), with nearly 950 specimens recovered since 2014.
- Sonselasuchus cedrus stood approximately 25 inches tall and featured a toothless beak, large eye sockets, and hollow bones.
- The creature exhibited bipedalism, transitioning from walking on four legs to two legs as its hind legs grew longer and stronger with age.
- The discovery indicates that traits such as bipedalism and toothless beaks, typically associated with ornithomimid dinosaurs, also evolved independently within the crocodilian lineage.
- A nest containing 10 intact dinosaur eggs from the Upper Jurassic era was discovered at Santa Cruz Beach in Torres Vedras, Portugal.
- The discovery was made by Carlos Natário, a researcher at the Centre for Research in Paleobiology and Paleoecology (Ci2Paleo) under the Torres Vedras Natural History Society (SHN).
- Preliminary studies suggest the eggs, measuring 5 centimetres in diameter, belong to a carnivorous theropod, which was a two-legged predator of the Jurassic era.
- Researchers at the SHN laboratory are using Computed Tomography (CT) scans to perform a virtual excavation and create high-resolution 3D models of the egg interiors.
- The eggs were found in granular sandstone, indicating they were laid on a riverbank and fossilised at the original location without being moved by ancient floods.
- Spinosaurus mirabilis, a massive fish-hunting dinosaur, lived 95 million years ago in present-day Niger.
- The species features a rare curved, scimitar-shaped crest on its skull.
- University of Chicago palaeontologist Paul Sereno led the excavation that began with first bones found in 2019 and resumed in 2022.
- The findings were published in the journal Science.
- Unlike coastal relatives, this spinosaur was discovered hundreds of kilometres inland, indicating freshwater river hunting in a once forested landscape.
- MIT researchers detected chemical fossils (steranes) in rocks over 541 million years old, confirming soft-bodied sea sponges as the earliest animals.
- The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), analysed Precambrian samples for 30-carbon steranes unique to demosponges.
- Lab burial simulations of modern sponge sterols matched the ancient rock traces, providing three converging lines of evidence: rock samples, living sponges, and lab results.
- Demosponges synthesise these sterols via enzymes absent in bacteria, pushing animal origins deeper into the Precambrian and predating the Cambrian explosion.
DPIIT and Voltas sign MoU to boost startup innovation in cooling and smart-appliance technologies
[Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Voltas]
Key Updates:
- The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed an MoU with Voltas Limited to strengthen industry-startup collaboration in cooling and smart-appliance technologies.
- The collaboration will engage startups working on HVAC technologies, advanced control systems and power electronics, AI/ML-based diagnostics, IoT-enabled smart appliances, and digitalisation in manufacturing and service operations.
- Startup India and Voltas will explore organising innovation challenges and hackathons through platforms such as the Bharat Start-up Grand Challenge focused on industry-driven problem statements.
- Selected startups may receive mentorship, technical guidance, access to testing infrastructure, market linkage opportunities, industry validation, product development support, and participate in structured Proof-of-Concept programmes with Voltas engineering teams.
- Startups can conduct field trials through Voltas’s service network to test, improve and potentially achieve commercial integration of new technologies.
- Key innovation areas include energy-efficient cooling systems, air-quality monitoring and filtration technologies, advanced inverter control systems, predictive maintenance solutions, refrigerant safety technologies, and digital tools for installation and servicing.
- The MoU was signed by Dr. Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Director, DPIIT, and Mr. Mukundan Menon, Managing Director of Voltas Limited, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.
Similar Coverage
- World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development (WED) 2026 is recognised by UNESCO and delivered by the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO).
- Adani Group has been named the official partner for WED 2026, the first time an Indian organisation has been selected by WFEO for this global platform.
- The Khavda renewable energy project in Gujarat, developed by Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) in collaboration with Adani Energy Solutions and Adani New Industries, is highlighted by WFEO as a defining example of India's energy transition.
- The Khavda plant is being constructed on 538 square kilometres of barren land in the Kutch region, an area five times the size of Paris.
- The project is planned to reach 30 GW capacity by 2029 and is currently the world's largest renewable energy plant under construction.
- The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi signed a Framework for Action (FFA) to advance solar energy skills and capacity building across ISA member countries.
- The framework aims to train renewable energy engineers, research professionals, and Solar Technology Application Centre (STAR-C) trainers.
- The partnership has previously supported M. Tech. programmes for professionals from 18 developing countries across Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.
- Over the last five years, over a hundred students undertook masters in renewable energy through the ISA–IIT Delhi partnership.
- The new framework launches a one-year post-graduate diploma programme based on a 'Train-the-Trainers' model, in collaboration with Institut National de l'Énergie Solaire (France).
- Future plans include expanding academic opportunities to Master's programmes in Public Policy and Ph.D. pathways for the solar energy sector.
- The collaboration covers four core areas: capacity building, academic programmes, joint research, and knowledge exchange.
- The research component will focus on solar resource assessment, quality standards, and emerging technologies.
- IIT Delhi plans to incorporate AI, ML, and Blockchain techniques to enhance distributed solar and ensure security in future sustainable energy systems.
- 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.
- The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) launched the India Grids of the Future Accelerator at Mumbai Climate Week 2026 to modernise power distribution and integrate renewable energy.
- The initiative is supported by the All India DISCOM Association (AIDA), International Solar Alliance (ISA), and designated Champion Utilities.
- GEAPP will deploy up to $25 million by 2028, aiming to unlock a total of $100 million by 2030 to support the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision of the Government of India.
- Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with AIDA and distribution companies (DISCOMs) in Delhi and Rajasthan as the first cohort of Champion Utilities.
- The accelerator aims to support 15 or more utilities and impact nearly 300 million people through its D4 framework of Digitalisation, Distributed energy resources, Democratisation, and Development.
- The third edition of the Energy Transitions Innovation Challenge (ENTICE 3.0) was launched to focus on energy storage and grid digitalisation.
- GEAPP was founded in 2021 by The Rockefeller Foundation, IKEA Foundation, and Bezos Earth Fund to end energy poverty and accelerate green economic opportunity.