Daily Current Affairs: 13 March 2026

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned hospital strike in Iran.

[Iran]

Key Updates:

• Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
• He described the damage to Gandhi Hospital in Tehran as extremely worrying and stated that health facilities are protected under international humanitarian law.
• Mohammad Raeiszadeh heads Iran's Medical Council and reported that the hospital's IVF department was destroyed by the strike.
• Janina Dill, an international law expert at Oxford University, noted that the status of media outlets as military targets during conflict can be contested.
• Dr Michael Becker, assistant professor of law at Trinity College Dublin, stated that deliberate strikes on civilian sites are illegal under international law unless those sites are used for military purposes.

Hari Murali passes away at 27.

Key Updates:

• Hari Murali, former Malayalam child actor, died at the age of 27 at his residence in Payyannur, Kerala.
• He gained fame for his role in the 2004 Malayalam film Rasikan directed by Lal Jose.
• His other films include Pattanathil Bhootham, Annan Thampi, Don, To Harihar Nagar, Pramughan, and Amar Akbar Anthony.
• He was the son of theatre actor K. A. Murali and brother of actor Sree Murali.
• Reports suggest he was allegedly found hanging, but the exact cause of death is yet to be confirmed by officials.

Giriraj Singh launched Bharat Tex as Union Minister of Textiles.

Key Updates:

• Giriraj Singh holds the post of Union Minister of Textiles.
• He launched Bharat Tex, a global textile event aimed at positioning India as a leading textile, apparel, and fashion hub.
• Bharat Tex brings together manufacturers, exporters, designers, buyers, and technology providers across the textile value chain.
• The event showcases India’s capabilities in textile manufacturing, technical textiles, and sustainable fabric and apparel production.
• It aims to foster industry-wide innovation, international research partnerships, and business linkages for Indian textile exporters.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NITI Aayog releases Fiscal Health Index 2026 ranking Odisha as India’s top fiscally-wise state for 2023-24.

[Odisha, NITI Aayog]

Key Updates:

• Odisha, Goa, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh are India’s top 10 fiscally-wise states in NITI Aayog’s 2026 Fiscal Health Index for 2023-24.
• Rajasthan, Kerala, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab are the bottom five of the 18 major states ranked.
• Among north-eastern and Himalayan states, Arunachal Pradesh topped the 2026 Index followed by Uttarakhand, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam and Mizoram.
• The Fiscal Health Index ranks states on five sub-indices: quality of expenditure, revenue mobilisation, fiscal prudence, debt index and debt sustainability.
• NITI Aayog advised states to prioritise higher allocations to infrastructure, health and education, broaden GST and state tax bases, and maintain fiscal deficits within FRBM norms.
• States with high interest payments were advised to improve debt management and adopt medium-term fiscal and debt management frameworks.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revises counterparty credit risk rules to align with Basel norms

[Reserve Bank of India]

Key Updates:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised its counterparty credit risk (CCR) framework to align with Basel Committee on Banking Supervision norms.
• The revisions lower capital add-ons for interest rate and foreign exchange contracts.
• The revisions increase capital add-ons for some long-dated equity and commodity swaps.
• The framework clarifies capital treatment for banks acting as clearing members on exchanges recognised by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) in equity and commodity derivatives segments.
• Regulated entities must include CCR exposures of all entities consolidated under the Basel III framework when computing capital on a consolidated basis.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancels 36 NBFCs’ Certificate of Registration and accepts surrender of 9 licences in February 2026.

[Reserve Bank of India]

Key Updates:

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the Certificate of Registration (CoR) of 36 NBFCs in February 2026.
• Nine NBFCs surrendered their CoR to RBI during the same month.
• Cancellation dates for the 36 NBFCs range from 16 February 2026 to 24 February 2026.
• Among the cancelled NBFCs, Excellence Broking & Finance (P) Ltd. had its CoR issued on 1 November 2006 and cancelled on 16 February 2026.
• Manglam Vanijya Private Limited surrendered its CoR issued on 19 August 2013 and the surrender was accepted on 11 February 2026.
• KKR India Asset Finance Private Limited surrendered its CoR issued on 29 May 2024 and the surrender was accepted on 23 February 2026.
• Premier Ferro Alloys & Securities Limited surrendered its CoR issued on 23 October 2003 and the surrender was accepted on 16 February 2026.

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.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Authorises CRED as Payment Aggregator

[Reserve Bank of India]

Key Updates:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted final authorisation to CRED (Dreamplug Paytech Solutions Private Limited) to operate as a payment aggregator.
• The license enables the Bengaluru-based fintech firm to onboard merchants, collect payments on their behalf across instruments, and handle settlements and refunds.
• CRED and its subsidiaries now hold two RBI authorisations, including the Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) license.
• The company reported a 16 per cent growth in consolidated operating revenue to ₹2,735 crore in the financial year 2024-25 (FY25).
• Operating losses for the firm reduced to ₹298 crore in FY25 from ₹609 crore in the previous financial year (FY24).
• The fintech platform, founded by Kunal Shah, currently maintains a member base of over 1.5 crore.

Crisil Intelligence Forecasts 7.1 Per Cent India GDP Growth for FY27

[Crisil]

Key Updates:

• Crisil Intelligence expects India's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to moderate to 7.1 per cent in FY27.
• The conflict in West Asia is identified as a downside risk to the economic outlook due to its impact on crude oil and commodity prices.
• Retail inflation is projected to rise to 4.3 per cent in FY27 from an estimated 2.5 per cent in FY26.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to hold the repo rate steady in FY27 to focus on transmitting the 125 basis points (bps) rate cut implemented in calendar year 2025.
• Headline retail inflation is likely to remain close to the central value of the RBI tolerance band.
• The new Consumer Price Index (CPI) 2024 series has a reduced weight for food, which is expected to contain the upside to headline inflation.
• Export growth is anticipated to maintain momentum, supported by lower United States (US) tariffs relative to FY26 and robust services exports.
• Economic growth will be supported by robust private consumption and a recovery in private capital expenditure (capex) driven by emerging sectors.
• Inflation is expected to normalise assuming a normal monsoon in 2026 and benign food prices.

Nomura cuts India FY27 GDP growth forecast to 7 per cent

[Nomura]

Key Updates:

• Nomura has revised India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for fiscal year 2026-27 (FY27) downwards to 7.0 per cent from the earlier estimate of 7.1 per cent.
• The Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation forecast for FY27 has been raised by 0.7 percentage points to 4.5 per cent due to rising energy costs.
• The Current Account Deficit (CAD) forecast for FY27 has been increased by 0.4 percentage points to 1.6 per cent of the GDP.
• Nomura expects India's GDP growth for FY26 to reach 7.6 per cent before the projected slowdown in the subsequent year.
• The International Energy Agency (IEA) has agreed to release 400 million barrels from emergency oil reserves, marking its largest-ever discharge to stabilise energy prices.
• Oil production in the southern fields of Iraq has declined from 3.3 million barrels per day (b/d) to 1.3 million b/d due to storage constraints and conflict.
• Rabobank International projects Brent crude oil prices to average 90 dollars per barrel in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026.
• Nomura notes that every 10 per cent increase in oil prices could potentially add 0.5 percentage points to India's inflation if costs are passed through to consumers.

Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 approved to curb forced conversion

[Chhattisgarh]

Key Updates:

• The Chhattisgarh Cabinet approved the draft Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026 to curb religious conversions carried out through force, inducement, fraudulent means, undue influence, or misrepresentation.
• At present, such cases are covered under the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 1968.
• Home Minister Vijay Sharma stated the new law would be a step ahead of other state-level anti-conversion laws.

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.

Supreme Court clarifies OBC creamy layer criterion for PSU and private sector employees

Key Updates:

• The Supreme Court ruled that income alone cannot be the sole criterion to determine the creamy layer among Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
• The Bench of Justice PS Narasimha and Justice R Mahadevan held that treating children of PSU and private sector employees as excluded from OBC reservation based only on salary income leads to hostile discrimination.
• The court set aside the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) clarification of 14 October 2004 that included salary income of PSU and private sector employees for creamy layer determination.
• The Supreme Court directed creation of supernumerary posts to accommodate candidates who satisfy the revised non-creamy layer criteria, subject to eligibility conditions.

World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector Achieves 9,750 MT Capacity

Key Updates:

• Pilot phase of the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in the cooperative sector completed godowns at Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in 11 states: Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, Telangana, Tripura, and Rajasthan.
• Total storage capacity created under the pilot is 9,750 metric tonnes.
• Implementing agencies are National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), and NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS).
• Three godowns in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Telangana are retained for PACS’ own use; three in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat have been hired out to state or central agencies.
• Over 500 additional PACS have been identified for godown construction as of 21 November 2024.
• Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) provides PACS a 3% interest subvention on loans up to ₹2 crore with a seven-year repayment tenure (2+5 years).
• Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme (AMI) gives PACS a 33.33% subsidy for storage units and reduces margin money requirement from 20% to 10%.
• Subsidy for ancillary infrastructure such as boundary walls and drainage systems is capped at one-third of the total permissible subsidy for the godown or the actual cost, whichever is lower.

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.

PM Modi launches development projects worth ₹16,450 crore in Kerala and Tamil Nadu

[Kerala, Tamil Nadu]

Key Updates:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched multiple development projects worth approximately ₹16,450 crore across Kerala and Tamil Nadu on 11 March.
• In Kerala, projects worth about ₹10,800 crore were launched, including the foundation stone for a Polypropylene Unit at the Kochi Refinery of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) costing over ₹5,500 crore.
• The Polypropylene Unit at the BPCL Kochi Refinery will have a production capacity of 400 kilo tonnes per annum to boost domestic polymer manufacturing.
• The Prime Minister inaugurated the six-laning of the Thalapady-Chengala section of National Highway (NH) 66 (₹2,650 crore) and the Kozhikode Bypass from Vengalam to Ramanattukara (₹2,140 crore).
• Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), three redeveloped railway stations were inaugurated in Kerala: Shoranur Junction, Kuttippuram Railway Station, and Changanassery Railway Station.
• The Prime Minister dedicated the Shoranur-Nilambur Road railway line electrification and flagged off a new train service between Palakkad and Pollachi.
• A 50 MW floating solar project foundation stone was laid at West Kallada in Kollam district, Kerala, to enhance renewable energy capacity.
• In Tamil Nadu, projects worth ₹5,650 crore were launched, including a City Gas Distribution (CGD) Network by BPCL in The Nilgiris and Erode districts with an investment of over ₹3,680 crore.
• A Lube Blending Plant with a capacity of 672 thousand metric tonnes per annum, developed by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) at Manali for ₹1,490 crore, was dedicated to the nation.
• Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), 23 rural roads in Kerala and 89 rural roads covering 370 kilometres in Tamil Nadu were inaugurated.
• The Prime Minister flagged off two Amrit Bharat Express trains, two express trains, and a passenger train service to improve connectivity between Tamil Nadu and states like Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala.
• The foundation stone was laid for a greenfield bypass near Gangaikonda Cholapuram on National Highway 81 in Tamil Nadu.

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.

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.

Iran signals potential withdrawal from FIFA World Cup 2026 amid conflict with United States

[Iran, United States]

Key Updates:

• Iran's Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali announced the national team would not participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026 due to military conflict with the United States (US).
• The tournament is scheduled to be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
• Iran has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as the new supreme leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other officials in air strikes.
• The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) is controlled by the federal government, which will determine the final decision on participation.
• Under Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) regulations, any withdrawing team must reimburse the $1.5 million preparation grant provided by the organisation.
• Financial penalties for withdrawal include a minimum of 250,000 Swiss francs ($320,000) if done 30 days before the first match, increasing to 500,000 Swiss francs ($639,000) if done 29 days or less before.
• FIFA maintains sole discretion to replace a withdrawing team, with potential candidates from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) including Iraq or the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• The FIFA Congress is scheduled to take place in Vancouver on April 30, which serves as a potential decision date for the tournament lineup.

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.

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.

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.

Scientists Discover New Flying Reptile Species Bakiribu waridza in 100-Million-Year-Old Fossilised Vomit

Key Updates:

• Scientists have identified a new species of flying reptile named Bakiribu waridza from a 100-million-year-old regurgitalite, which is fossilised dinosaur vomit.
• The fossil was retrieved from the Romualdo Formation located in the Araripe basin of Northeast Brazil.
• The discovery, published in the journal Scientific Reports, marks the first time an extinct species has been described entirely from fossilised puke.
• Bakiribu waridza was a filter-feeding pterosaur that possessed several hundred long, needle-like teeth used to strain microorganisms from water, similar to modern-day flamingos.
• The fossilised regurgitate contained bones from two individuals of the pterosaur species along with four fossil fish.
• Researchers suggest the predator responsible for the vomit was likely a Spinosaurid dinosaur, a large predator that inhabited the Araripe basin 100 million years ago.
• The prey in the fossil showed a head-first alignment, a technique used by modern fish-eating birds to avoid choking on sharp fins.

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.

Rare Blue-and-White Flycatcher Spotted on Pavagadh Hill in Gujarat

[Gujarat]

Key Updates:

• A male blue-and-white flycatcher, a rare migratory bird, was sighted on Pavagadh Hill in Gujarat by a team from the Ghoghamba social forestry range.
• The male bird is identified by its royal blue upperparts, black face and breast, and white belly, whereas the female of the species is brownish in colour.
• The species has been recorded only approximately 149 times in India, as the country does not fall along its typical migration route.
• The bird breeds in Japan, Korea, and parts of China and Russia between May and July, returning to these grounds between February and May.
• During the wintering period from August to January, the species typically migrates to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
• Range Forest Officer (RFO) Jayesh Dumadiya noted that the bird resembles native species such as the black-naped monarch and Tickell's blue flycatcher.
• A female of the same species was also recorded in the Kheda district of Gujarat in November.

Meta acquires Artificial Intelligence (AI) social media network Moltbook

Key Updates:

• Meta has acquired Moltbook, a social media networking platform designed for Artificial Intelligence (AI) bots to communicate with each other.
• The Moltbook team will be integrated into Meta's Superintelligence Labs to develop new methods for AI agents to assist individuals and businesses.
• Moltbook was developed using OpenClaw, an open-source AI agent tool that functions as a personal digital assistant to manage tasks like writing emails and building applications.
• Meta previously acquired Manus, a Chinese-founded AI firm specialising in general-purpose bots, in December to compete with rivals like OpenAI and Google.
• Peter Steinberger, the creator of OpenClaw, was hired by OpenAI in February to assist in developing the next generation of personal agents.
• China's cyber security agency has issued warnings regarding the risks associated with OpenClaw after local governments and technology firms began experimenting with the tool.

NASA DART impact altered orbit of both Dimorphos and Didymos around Sun

Key Updates:

• NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft crashed into Dimorphos at roughly 14,000 mph in September 2022.
• The mission shortened Dimorphos' 12-hour orbit around Didymos by 33 minutes.
• New study published 6 March in Science Advances found Didymos' 770-day solar orbit changed by a fraction of a second.
• NASA stated this marks the first time a human-made object has measurably altered the path of a celestial body around the Sun.
• European Space Agency (ESA) spacecraft Hera launched 7 October 2024 atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, and is scheduled to reach the Didymos system by end-2026.
• NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office, established in 2016, catalogues near-Earth objects that could crash into Earth.
• NASA's NEO Surveyor telescope, set to launch no earlier than September 2027, is designed to discover 90% of asteroids and comets 460 feet or larger within 30 million miles of Earth's orbit.

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.

India defeat Wales to qualify for FIH Hockey World Cup 2026

[Wales]

Key Updates:

• India defeated Wales 4-1 in a Pool B match of the women’s hockey World Cup Qualifiers at the GMC Balayogi Hockey Ground in Hyderabad.
• Navneet Kaur scored a hat-trick for India, finding the net in the 29th, 34th and 55th minutes.
• Sakshi Rana opened the scoring for India in the 7th minute.
• India finished as Pool B table-toppers ahead of Scotland on goal difference.
• India secured qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 before the semifinals because they cannot drop below Japan (world No 15) in the rankings even if they lose their remaining matches.

Shailesh Kumar wins gold at World Para Athletics Grand Prix New Delhi

Key Updates:

• Shailesh Kumar claimed gold in men’s high jump T63 with a best jump of 1.84 m at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in New Delhi.
• The event marked his 2026 season opener after being reigning world champion.
• More than 200 Indian athletes are competing in the Grand Prix which serves as a key classification event.
• Asian Para Games is the season’s priority target for Indian para-athletes including Shailesh Kumar.

Delhi awarded second leg of Asia Cup Archery 2027

Key Updates:

• Delhi has been awarded the hosting rights for the second leg of the Asia Cup archery tournament in 2027.
• The decision was finalised following approvals from World Archery Asia during a meeting held in Kolkata.
• India will host a top international archery competition for the first time in 22 years, with the last major event being the Asian Archery Championships held in Delhi in 2005.
• Archery Association of India (AAI) Secretary General Virendra Sachdeva and World Archery Asia President Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapol met to discuss the hosting of upcoming international tournaments.
• Delhi is also being considered as the potential venue for the Commonwealth Archery Championships next year.

Indian Orchid Festival 2026 on theme 'Orchids for Beauty & Prosperity' concludes at Pakyong district in Sikkim

[Sikkim]

Key Updates:

• Indian Orchid Festival 2026 concluded at Pakyong district in Sikkim.
• Theme of the festival: 'Orchids for Beauty & Prosperity'.
• Organised by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, National Research Centre for Orchids (ICAR-NRCO).
• Chief Guest: Puran Gurung, Minister for Agriculture & Horticulture Department, Government of Sikkim.
• Director ICAR-NRCO Pakyong: Dr. SP Das.
• Participants included orchid growers, entrepreneurs, stakeholders from many states, renowned nurseries, tissue culture companies and marketing companies.
• Four-day festival featured technical sessions where experts shared practical knowledge with growers.
• Puran Gurung promised to organise such events at North East India Level in collaboration with State Governments.
• Dr. N.P. Singh, Ex-Director, National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati, appreciated the initiative.

World Kidney Day 2026 observed on March 12 with theme 'Kidney Health for All — Caring for People, Protecting the Planet'

Key Updates:

• World Kidney Day 2026 is observed globally on March 12.
• The 2026 theme is 'Kidney Health for All — Caring for People, Protecting the Planet'.
• World Kidney Day is organised annually by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Society of Nephrology.