Daily Current Affairs: 15 March 2026

Analysis for 15 March 2026

José Antonio Kast sworn in as President of Chile.

[Chile]

Key Updates:

José Antonio Kast assumed office as President of Chile on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
He defeated communist candidate Jeannette Jara in the December 2025 election and secured about 60% of the vote.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the National Congress in Valparaíso and was attended by heads of state including Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, Spain’s King Felipe VI, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado.
Kast pledged to implement an “emergency government” focused on combating crime and irregular migration.
He praised the U.S. operation that led to the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and signalled closer alignment with the Trump administration.
Kast abruptly ended the transition process after a clash with outgoing President Gabriel Boric over a submarine cable project to connect Chile and China that had drawn U.S. criticism.

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Jose Maria Balcazar Appointed Interim President of Peru (End of February) ▼

Peru’s Congress elected Jose Maria Balcazar as the interim president of the country, succeeding Jose Jeri following his removal from office.
Balcazar is an 83-year-old former judge and professor who represents the left-wing Peru Libre (Free Peru) party.
He secured the presidency by obtaining 60 votes out of 113 cast in the second round of voting in the Congress.
His interim tenure is scheduled to last for 53 days until the national elections are held on 12 April 2026.
Balcazar has been a member of the Congress since 2021 and previously served as a provisional member of the Supreme Court of Peru.
He becomes the ninth president of Peru in the last decade, a period marked by the impeachment of four presidents and the resignation of two others.
The National Board of Justice (CNM) had previously conducted disciplinary hearings regarding Balcazar’s judicial term on the high court’s bench.
The outgoing president, Jose Jeri, was impeached following allegations of influence-peddling and misconduct in a scandal known as Chifagate.

Chile endorses India’s bid for permanent seat on United Nations Security Council (Mid of January) ▼

Chile supports India's aspiration of being a permanent member of the Security Council because we believe this body should better reflect the realities of today.
India can be a stabilising factor, an established factor, in global affairs.
Chile have been supporting reforms of the system.

Jose Antonio Kast elected as 38th President of Chile (Mid of December) ▼

Jose Antonio Kast defeated Jeannette Jara in run-off to become Chile's 38th president.
Kast won nearly 58 percent of vote, marking third attempt and first successful bid.
Jeannette Jara conceded defeat on social media wishing success for Chile.

Kenta Kon appointed as Toyota CEO (Start of February) ▼

Kenta Kon will assume the role of Toyota CEO effective April 1.
Current CEO Koji Sato will become vice chairman and chief industry officer.
Kenta Kon is currently Toyota's CFO and is described as a longtime confidant of former CEO Akio Toyoda.
Executive vice president Yoichi Miyazaki will succeed Kon as CFO.

US and South Korea begin Freedom Shield military exercise amid Middle East war

[United States, South Korea]

Key Updates:

Freedom Shield exercise started on Monday and runs through March 19.
About 18,000 South Korean troops are participating in Freedom Shield.
Freedom Shield is one of two annual command-post exercises; the other is Ulchi Freedom Shield held in August.
Warrior Shield field training accompanies Freedom Shield with 22 field exercises, down from 51 last year.
North Korea describes allied drills as invasion rehearsals and uses them to justify military demonstrations and weapons tests.

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India and Thailand to conduct joint air exercise near Malacca Strait on 9 February 2026 (Mid of February) ▼

The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) will commence a joint air exercise near the Malacca Strait on 9 February 2026.
The drill will be conducted near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the North Malacca Strait, marking the first international air exercise for the IAF in 2026.
India will deploy four to six Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft, mid-air refuelling tankers, and an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.
The RTAF will participate with four to six Gripen fighter jets operating from Thai air bases.
The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and test logistics endurance and operational sustainability in island territories within the Indian Ocean Region.
The joint drill will include maritime search and rescue operations supported by naval vessels deployed at sea.
Defence cooperation between the two nations is institutionalised under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in January 2012 and India’s Act East policy.
The IAF is scheduled to participate in three additional major air exercises with France, the United States, and Greece over the next two months.

South Korea and United States Air Forces hold 2025 first Buddy Squadron exercise at Osan Air Base (Mid of February) ▼

The South Korean Air Force and the United States Air Force began their first Buddy Squadron exercise of 2025 on Monday at Osan Air Base in Gyeonggi Province.
The exercise runs through Friday and is the 26-1 iteration under a revised framework reducing annual iterations from eight to four while more than doubling participating aircraft and sorties.
Participating aircraft include South Korean KF-16 fighters, F-35A stealth fighters, FA-50 light attack aircraft, and United States F-16 fighters.
The Buddy Squadron exercise, renamed from Friendship Training in 1997, started in 1991 to enhance combined operational capabilities through joint training.

India and South Korea conduct 6th Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue in Seoul (Mid of February) ▼

The 6th Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue (FPSD) between India and South Korea was held in Seoul.
The dialogue was co-chaired by P. Kumaran, Secretary (East) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Park Yoon-joo, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea.
Both nations reviewed bilateral relations including security and defence cooperation, science and technology collaboration, and economic issues.
The two sides agreed to work towards enhancing their Special Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed commitments to global cooperation.
The engagement followed parliamentary talks between the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and South Korean legislators to reinforce strategic ties.

Australia, India, Japan, and United States conduct 1st Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam (End of December) ▼

Quad partners, Australia, India, Japan and the United States (US), successfully conducted their first Field Training Exercise (FTX) on the sidelines of Operation Christmas Drop at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as part of the Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN).
The exercise was conducted from 8th to 12th December to strengthen the Quad partners’ disaster response capacity.
The IPLN is an initiative that enables Quad partners to "leverage shared logistics capabilities to support civilian response to large-scale natural disasters more rapidly and efficiently across the Indo-Pacific."
Training activities included boarding a Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) C-130H transport aircraft to enhance interoperability and coordination.
The FTX reflected the Quad’s commitment to "strengthening practical cooperation to address regional challenges and to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific."

Phil Campbell, Motörhead guitarist, dies aged 64.

Key Updates:

Phil Campbell passed away peacefully at the age of 64 after a long stay in intensive care following a complex major operation.
He served as the guitarist for the heavy-metal band Motörhead from 1984 until the group disbanded in 2015 after frontman Lemmy Kilmister’s death.
Born in Pontypridd, Wales, Campbell recently performed a sell-out show with his own band at the Muni arts centre in his hometown.
Motörhead described him as a wonderful guitarist and performer who carried a great sense of humour and led with his heart.

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Peter Arnett, Pulitzer-winning war reporter, dies aged 91 (Mid of December) ▼

Peter Arnett, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and war correspondent, died surrounded by family and friends in California while receiving hospice care for prostate cancer.
Arnett won the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting in 1966 for his Vietnam War coverage while working for the Associated Press (AP).
He joined Cable News Network (CNN) in 1981 and became known for reporting on the first Gulf War from Baghdad, where he interviewed then-president Saddam Hussein.
In 1997, Arnett became the first Western journalist to interview Osama Bin Laden at a secret hideout in Afghanistan.
Arnett was dismissed by National Broadcasting Company (NBC) after giving an interview on Iraqi state television that was viewed as critical of United States military strategy, and was hired by the Daily Mirror the same day.

Eric Dane dies at 53 after Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis. (End of February) ▼

Eric Dane passed away following a battle with ALS.
He was 53 years old at the time of his death.
Dane publicly revealed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025.
He was best known for playing Dr Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy and Cal Jacobs on Euphoria.
He joined the board of Target ALS in December and helped one of its campaigns exceed a $500,000 fundraising target.
Time magazine named him one of its 100 most influential people in health for his ALS advocacy.

Hugh Morris, former England and Glamorgan batter and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive, passes away at 62 (End of December) ▼

Hugh Morris captained England A as well as leading Glamorgan over two spells.
He was diagnosed with bowel cancer in January 2022 and left his role as Glamorgan chief executive in September 2023.
Morris led Glamorgan to the Sunday League title in 1993 and won three full England caps.
He spent 16 years in various senior roles at the ECB and oversaw three consecutive Ashes series wins for the England men's Test team.
He was appointed MBE in 2022 for services to cricket and charity and was inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame in September 2024.

James Van Der Beek dies at 48 after colorectal cancer diagnosis. (Mid of February) ▼

James Van Der Beek passed away at the age of 48, as confirmed by his publicist Whitney Tancred and announced by his wife Kimberly on Instagram.
He was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in November 2024 and had auctioned career items to help pay for treatment.
Van Der Beek rose to fame as Dawson Leery on 'Dawson's Creek' (1998–2003) and starred in the 1999 film 'Varsity Blues'.
He married Kimberly Brook in 2010 and they have six children together.
An online fundraiser had pledged almost $1.3 million to his family as of Thursday morning.

Madhu Malhotra passes away at 71.

Key Updates:

Madhu Malhotra died in Mumbai on Friday at the age of 71.
She acted in over 100 Hindi films, mostly in minor roles, during the 1970s and 1980s.
She featured in Subhash Ghai's films 'Vishwanath' (1978), 'Karz' (1980), 'Vidhaata' (1982), and 'Hero' (1983).
She lip-synced the song 'Lambi judaai' in 'Hero' (1983).
She was one of the leading ladies in the 1982 multi-starrer 'Satte Pe Satta' and was paired with comic actor Paintal in that film.
She appeared in horror films 'Khooni Murda' (1989) and 'Roohani Taqat' (1991) directed by Mohan Bhakri.

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Hari Murali passes away at 27. (Mid of March) ▼

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.

Veteran Tamil Filmmaker Thakkali Srinivasan Passes Away at 72 (Mid of March) ▼

Veteran Tamil filmmaker, producer, composer, and actor Thakkali Srinivasan passed away at the age of 72 in Bengaluru on 10 March 2026.
He produced several landmark Tamil films including Ivargal Varungala Thoongal, Manasukul Mathappu, Nalaya Manithan, Jenma Natchathiram, Athisiya Manithan, and Witness.
He directed the horror film Jenma Natchathiram, which was a remake of the Hollywood film The Omen, and also composed the music for the project.
He directed the thriller Aduthathu, inspired by Agatha Christie's novel And Then There Were None, featuring actors Nassar, Sriman, Vaiyapuri, Ilavarasu, Aarthi, and Meenal.
He portrayed the antagonist in the film Soora Samharam, starring Kamal Haasan, and directed the murder mystery Asokavanam.
In his later years, he dedicated himself to philanthropy by running an ashram and living with his adopted children.

Kannan Pattambi passes away at 62 (Start of January) ▼

Kannan Pattambi, Malayalam actor and production controller, died while undergoing treatment for a kidney-related ailment at a private hospital in Kozhikode, Kerala.
His elder brother Major Ravi confirmed the news through a Facebook post.
Pattambi worked extensively with Major Ravi and Mohanlal on films including Mission 90 Days, Pulimurugan, Kandahar, Karmayodha and Kurukshetra.
He acted in 23 films including Black, Vettam, Odiyan and 12th Man.

Punnapra Appachan passes away at 77 (Start of January) ▼

Punnapra Appachan died while undergoing treatment after sustaining injuries from a fall.
He breathed his last at a hospital in Alappuzha.
Appachan made his silver screen debut in 1965 with Othenante Makan, produced by Udaya Studio.
He gained wider recognition for his performance in Anubhavangal Paalichakal as a trade union leader.
One of his last films was Ottakkomban, starring Suresh Gopi.
He appeared in several films directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan.
Over his career, he acted alongside all major superstars of Malayalam cinema, mainly in villainous and character roles.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the FEFKA Directors’ Union condoled his demise.

DRI seizes 237 kg Alprazolam worth ₹47 crore in Andhra Pradesh.

[Andhra Pradesh]

Key Updates:

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 237 kg of Alprazolam valued at ₹47 crore from a facility in Kondapalli Industrial Development Area, NTR district, Andhra Pradesh.
The raid, code-named 'Operation White Hammer', was conducted on March 11 and 12.
Two masterminds behind the illegal operation were arrested.
Officials found 800 kg of key raw materials, 2,860 litres of chemicals, and industrial equipment such as reactors, dryers, and a centrifuge at the site.
The clandestine facility operated under the guise of a chemical manufacturing unit.
A chemist with over 20 years of experience in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector ran the operation with an associate who handled raw materials and distribution in Hyderabad.

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Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) dismantles darknet drug syndicate Team Kalki using cryptocurrency (Start of March) ▼

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) dismantled a nationwide darknet-based drug trafficking network operating under the name Team Kalki.
The syndicate utilized the dark web forum Dread and the encrypted messaging application Session to coordinate synthetic drug deliveries across India.
Seized narcotics included 2,338 LSD blotters, 160 MDMA pills (77.5 grams), 73.6 grams of charas, 3.6 grams of amphetamine, and 3.6 kg of liquid MDMA.
The network employed a cryptocurrency-based payment system involving unhosted wallets and privacy coins such as Monero and USDT (Tether).
Funds were routed through intermediary wallets and cold storage accounts, with proceeds laundered through mule Know Your Customer (KYC)-compliant wallets into bank accounts.
The NCB traced drug consignments to several states including Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, and Karnataka.
The syndicate sourced LSD and MDMA from darknet vendors located in the Netherlands, Poland, and Germany.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) sanctions ₹99.15 lakh to Bharathiar University (BU) for chemical defence project (Start of March) ▼

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Union Ministry of Defence has sanctioned ₹99.15 lakh to Bharathiar University (BU) for a major chemical defence project.
The project is titled Development of Novel Antidote(s) for Highly Toxic Organophosphorous Compounds.
The research will be conducted under the DRDO Industry Academia – Centre of Excellence (DIA–CoE) at BU in Coimbatore.
The initiative aims to enhance India’s preparedness in dealing with toxic chemical exposure and strengthen national chemical defence capabilities.

Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi reappointed as Drugs Controller (India) at Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) (Start of March) ▼

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved his reappointment on a contractual basis for one year from 1 March 2026.
The proposal for re-employment was moved by the Department of Health and Family Welfare.
He heads the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) which regulates drug quality, approves new drugs and oversees clinical trials.
Dr Raghuvanshi earlier served as secretary-cum-scientific director of the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) from 16 February 2021.

NCORD Apex-Level Meeting Approves 3-Year Nationwide Anti-Drug Campaign (Mid of January) ▼

Union home minister Amit Shah chaired the ninth apex-level meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) in New Delhi.
A nationwide campaign against drugs will be launched from March 31, 2026, for a period of three years.
All central government departments must prepare a roadmap up to 2029 with a monitoring mechanism to address the drug problem comprehensively.

Govind Mohan urges stronger response to online crimes against women and children.

Key Updates:

Govind Mohan, Home Secretary, addressed the inaugural session of the national dialogue on 'online crimes against women and children' (OCWC) organised by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) launched a master trainers induction programme for states and UTs to create a national pool of trained officers for capacity-building against online crimes targeting women and children.
The national dialogue brought together senior officials from state and UT law enforcement agencies, representatives from Union ministries, social media intermediaries, internet service providers, academia, civil society organisations, legal experts, and student representatives.
Discussions covered emerging trends in online crimes against women and children, strengthening investigative frameworks and digital forensics, improving victim support and reporting mechanisms, and enhancing coordination with digital platforms for timely removal of harmful content.

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World Day of Fight Against Sexual Exploitation observed on March 4 (Start of March) ▼

World Day of Fight Against Sexual Exploitation has been observed every March 4 since 2009.
It was created to raise awareness of a global issue that disproportionately affects women and children.
Sexual exploitation is classified as a form of modern slavery and a crime against humanity.
According to a 2016 report by the International Labor Organization (ILO), 5 million people worldwide were victims of forced sexual exploitation.
UNICEF reports that over 3 million children globally are affected by prostitution.

Delhi High Court clarifies POCSO Act cases cannot be dismissed solely on victim turning hostile (End of December) ▼

The Delhi High Court ruled that a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act cannot be dismissed merely because the victim turns hostile, especially when scientific evidence is available.
The court upheld the 20-year jail term of a man convicted of raping his minor stepdaughter, despite the victim retracting her statement during trial.
The court emphasized that child victims may retract due to fear of losing shelter, financial stability, or family pressure, and such hostility should not undermine the prosecution's case.

Delhi Police Chief Satish Golchha led Operation Shastra against online weapon glorification. (Start of February) ▼

Delhi Police registered 61 FIRs and arrested 67 people under Operation Shastra.
15 juveniles were apprehended during the operation.
Police recovered 69 illegal firearms, 93 live cartridges, and 13 knives and other sharp-edged weapons.
Over 500 teams with more than 2,000 personnel analysed over 6,000 social media profiles.

UN Women (UNW) reports women hold 64% of legal rights of men globally. (Start of March) ▼

UN Women (UNW) stated women globally hold 64% of the legal rights afforded to men.
UN Women (UNW) released the statement ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026.
In 54% of countries rape is not legally defined on the basis of consent.
Nearly 75% of countries still allow girls to be legally forced into marriage.
44% of countries lack legal requirement for equal remuneration for work of equal value.
UN Women (UNW) Executive Director Sima Bahous warned that justice systems failing women weaken rule of law.
Reported cases of sexual violence in conflict settings rose by 87% in the past two years.
87% of countries have enacted domestic violence legislation according to the Secretary-General’s report.

Fitch Ratings (Fitch) Raises India FY26 GDP Growth Forecast to 7.5%

Key Updates:

Fitch Ratings (Fitch) upgraded India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for the Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) to 7.5% from the previous projection of 7.4%.
The agency revised the India FY27 growth estimate upward to 6.7% from the earlier projection of 6.4%.
India’s GDP grew by 7.8% in the third quarter of FY26 and 8.4% in the second quarter, while the FY25 growth was recorded at 7.1%.
Global GDP growth is projected at 2.6% for 2026, assuming oil prices do not exceed $70 per barrel.
Inflation in India is projected to reach 4.5% by December 2026.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) maintained the policy rate at 5.25% in February, which Fitch expects to remain unchanged through next year.
Brian Coulton serves as the Chief Economist of Fitch.

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Crisil Intelligence Forecasts 7.1 Per Cent India GDP Growth for FY27 (Mid of March) ▼

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.

Moody's Ratings projects India GDP growth at 7.3% for FY26 (End of January) ▼

Moody's Ratings forecasts India's economy to grow by 7.3% in FY 2025-26, up from 6.5% the previous year.
India's GDP per capita rose 8.2% year-on-year to $11,176 in FY 2024-25 while headline GDP grew 6.5%.
Total insurance premium revenue increased 17% to Rs 10.9 lakh crore in April-November 2025-26, with health premiums up 14% and life new business premiums climbing 20%.
The government has raised the foreign investment limit in Indian insurance companies to 100% of capital from 74%.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) projects India’s real GDP growth at 7.4% for FY26. (Mid of January) ▼

MoSPI’s First Advance Estimates place FY26 real GDP growth at 7.4%, up from 6.5% in FY25.
Nominal GDP growth for FY26 is estimated at 8.0%.
Real gross value added (GVA) is projected to rise 7.3% in FY26, with the services sector identified as the key growth engine.
Private consumption growth eased to 7% YoY in FY25 versus 7.2% in the previous fiscal.
Manufacturing GVA growth is estimated at 7% and Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services plus Public Administration, Defence & Other Services are estimated to grow 9.9% at constant prices in FY26.
Agriculture and allied sector GVA growth is pegged at 3.1% while Electricity, Gas, Water Supply & Other Utility Services GVA growth is moderate at 2.1% in FY26.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had forecasted FY26 GDP growth at 7.3% in its December MPC meeting.
CRISIL revised its FY26 GDP growth forecast to 7% after Q2 FY26 data showed 8.2% growth, the fastest in six quarters.
India Ratings & Research (Ind-Ra) pegs FY26 real GDP growth at 7.4% and nominal GDP growth at 9%.
Bank of Baroda projects FY26 GDP growth in the 7.4%-7.6% range, noting risks from decelerating exports to the US.
SBI Capital Markets expects FY26 real GDP growth to exceed 7% and nominal GDP growth at around 8.5% y/y.
Acuité Ratings & Research revised FY26 GDP growth estimate to 7.2% from 6.6% after Q2 data.
The Second Advance Estimates of GDP for FY26 will be released on 27 February 2026 and will incorporate a base revision to 2022-23.

World Bank (WB) raises India’s FY26 growth forecast to 7.2% (Mid of January) ▼

The World Bank (WB) raised India’s growth forecast for FY26 to 7.2%, up from the 6.3% projected in June 2025.
India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is estimated to moderate to 6.5% in FY27 and edge up to 6.6% in FY28.
The National Statistical Office (NSO) estimated India's FY26 growth at 7.4% on January 7.
South Asia’s growth is expected to rise to 7.1% in 2025 and slow to 6.2% in 2026.
Global growth is projected to moderate to 2.6% in 2026 from 2.7% in 2025.
The United States economy is estimated to rise to 2.2% from 2.1%, while China's economic growth is forecast to slow to 4.4% from 4.9%.
The WB projections assume that 50% tariffs by the United States remain in place throughout the forecast horizon.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launches pilot ‘Awareness Program on Digital Payments’ for 10 lakh participants in Maharashtra.

[Reserve Bank of India, Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

The sixth edition of Digital Payments Awareness Week (DPAW) is being observed during March 9-13, 2026.
RBI Governor Shri Sanjay Malhotra launched the pilot program titled 'Awareness Program on Digital Payments'.
The pilot will be conducted in Maharashtra in partnership with CSC e-Governance Services India Limited.
The pilot will include in-person awareness programs for 10 lakh participants in rural and semi-urban areas through Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs).
RBI also launched a multi-media awareness campaign 'Thoda Dhyan Se' to encourage users to be careful while making payments and transacting online.
Governor Shri Sanjay Malhotra interacted with Managing Directors/Chief Executive Officers of select Payment Systems Operators (PSOs) after the launch.
Deputy Governors Shri T Rabi Sankar, Dr Poonam Gupta, and Shri S C Murmu attended the launch event.

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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to compensate ₹25,000 for small digital fraud losses. (Start of February) ▼

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will compensate customers up to ₹25,000 or 85% of the loss, whichever is lower, for small-value digital frauds.
The compensation is a one-time relief and applies to frauds below ₹50,000 which account for nearly 65% of fraud cases in number terms.
Under the proposed structure, 15% of the loss will be borne by the customer, 15% by the bank, and the remaining by RBI.
RBI is reviewing its 2017 framework on customer liability in unauthorised electronic banking transactions and will issue draft revised instructions shortly.
RBI will issue guidelines for enhanced authentication for senior citizens and calibrated safeguards in digital payments including lagged credits.
RBI will issue comprehensive instructions to banks and non-bank lenders on advertising, marketing and sale of financial products to prevent mis-selling.
RBI will release harmonised guidelines on loan recovery practices and norms governing engagement of recovery agents for borrower protection.

Department of Financial Services (DFS) report shows UPI overtakes cash with 57% share of transactions (Mid of February) ▼

Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, released the report titled 'Socio-Economic Impact Analysis of the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of RuPay Debit Card and low-value BHIM-UPI (Person-to-Merchant) transactions' during Chintan Shivir on 13-14 February 2026.
Survey covered 10,378 respondents across 15 States: 6,167 users, 2,199 merchants, and 2,012 service providers.
UPI accounts for 57% of surveyed user transactions, surpassing cash at 38%.
65% of UPI users report multiple digital transactions per day.
Report recommends targeted interventions to boost RuPay debit card usage in rural and semi-urban areas through merchant enablement programmes, UPI Lite for low-value transactions, and investment in connectivity, digital literacy, and fraud risk mitigation.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Digital Payments Index rises to 516.76 in September 2025. (Mid of February) ▼

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Digital Payments Index (RBI-DPI) for September 2025 stands at 516.76.
The RBI-DPI was 465.33 in September 2024 and 493.22 in March 2025.
The index captures digitisation of payments across the country with March 2018 as the base year.

HDFC Bank integrates Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) into SmartGateway (Start of January) ▼

HDFC Bank has integrated the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) into its online merchant payment platform, SmartGateway.
The integration enables merchants to accept payments via the Digital Rupee at zero transaction cost.
The Digital Rupee is offered as a secure and sovereign-backed digital payment option alongside existing modes such as Unified Payments Interface (UPI), cards, and net banking.
The enhancement allows customers to access an instant and secure digital payment experience within the HDFC Bank checkout ecosystem.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) reports CPI inflation at 3.2% for February 2026

[Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation]

Key Updates:

Retail inflation quickened to a 10-month high of 3.2% in February 2026, driven by food and tobacco categories.
CPI inflation was last higher in April 2025 at 3.3%.
Food and beverages inflation rose to 3.35% in February from 2.1% in January.
Inflation in 'paan, tobacco and intoxicants' quickened to 3.5% in February from 2.9% in January.
Core inflation, excluding food and energy, remained unchanged at 3.4% between January and February 2026.
Inflation in 'personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods & services' was 19.6% in February, up from 19.02% in January, driven by higher prices of precious metals.
Economists forecast headline CPI inflation to reach 3.3-3.5% in March 2026 due to LPG price hikes and precious metal costs.

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Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) reports CPI inflation at 3.2% for February 2026 (Mid of March) ▼

India’s retail inflation quickened to 3.2% in February 2026, a 10-month high, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on 12 March 2026.
CPI inflation was last higher in April 2025 at 3.3%.
Food and beverages inflation rose to 3.35% in February 2026 from 2.1% in January 2026.
Inflation in ‘paan, tobacco and intoxicants’ increased to 3.5% in February 2026 from 2.9% in January 2026.
Core inflation, excluding food & beverages and electricity, gas & other fuels, remained unchanged at 3.4% between January and February 2026.
Inflation in ‘personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods & services’ stood at 19.6% in February 2026, up from 19.02% in January 2026, driven by higher prices of precious metals.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) releases January 2026 CPI at 2.75% under new 2024=100 base (Mid of February) ▼

Retail inflation stood at 2.75 per cent in January 2026 under the new Consumer Price Index (CPI) series with base year 2024=100.
Year-on-year inflation based on the All India CPI (Base 2024) for January 2026 stood at 2.75 per cent (provisional) compared with January 2025.
The corresponding inflation rates were 2.73 per cent for rural areas and 2.77 per cent for urban areas.
Food inflation based on the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) stood at 2.13 per cent, with rural food inflation at 1.96 per cent and urban food inflation at 2.44 per cent.
Housing inflation for January 2026 stood at 2.05 per cent, with rural housing inflation at 2.39 per cent and urban housing inflation at 1.92 per cent.
The new CPI series replaces the earlier 2012 base and is based on the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24.
The revised framework adopts 12 consumption divisions in place of six earlier groups, in line with the Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP) 2018 framework.
The total number of weighted items has increased to 358 from 299 earlier, with goods items rising to 308 from 259 and services items increasing to 50 from 40.
The series introduces rural house rent for the first time and strengthens coverage of modern consumption patterns such as online services and cleaner fuels like CNG and PNG.

State Bank of India (SBI) notes cash in circulation hit record Rs 40 lakh crore in January 2026. (Mid of February) ▼

Currency in circulation reached Rs 40 lakh crore in January 2026, 11% higher than January 2025.
UPI transactions touched Rs 28.33 lakh crore in January 2026, up over 20% year-on-year.
SBI attributes the cash spike to tax enforcement, lower interest rates boosting consumption, and high precious-metal prices prompting households to sell gold and silver.
18,000 Goods and Services Tax (GST) notices served to small vendors on UPI dealings coincided with higher ATM withdrawals in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala.
Rs 2,000 notes share fell to 0.02% by volume after withdrawal of Rs 3.56 lakh crore worth from 19 May 2023; share of Rs 100, 200 and 500 notes increased.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directed banks in April 2025 to raise Rs 100/200 notes in ATMs and ensure 96% of ATMs dispense these denominations by end-March 2026.
Cash-to-GDP ratio declined to 11% in FY26 from 14.4% in FY21.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) records December CPI inflation at 1.33% (Mid of January) ▼

India’s headline retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 1.33 per cent in December 2025 from 0.71 per cent in November.
Retail food prices fell 2.71 per cent year-on-year in December after falling by 3.91 per cent the previous month.
The December 2025 retail inflation figure is the last under the existing CPI series; a new series with base year 2024 will be introduced next month.
The October–December CPI inflation averaged ~0.8 per cent, about 20 basis points higher than the Monetary Policy Committee’s Q3FY26 forecast.
Core inflation rose to 4.6 per cent in December from 4.4 per cent the previous month, driven by gold and silver price surges.
Gold inflation hit a record high of 68.66 per cent and silver inflation reached 97.07 per cent in December.
Excluding gold and silver, December CPI inflation would have been 0.26 per cent.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) expects inflation to average around 4 per cent in the first half of 2026-27.

FSSAI reforms grant perpetual validity to licences and raise registration turnover threshold

[Food Safety and Standards Authority of India]

Key Updates:

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) stated that its registration certificates and licences will now have perpetual validity and will not require renewal.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare approved the perpetual validity reform effective from the date of the FSSAI announcement.
The turnover threshold for registration has been increased from ₹12 lakh to ₹1.5 crore effective 10 March.
State licensing will apply up to ₹50 crore turnover and Central licensing beyond this limit, effective 1 April 2026.
Street food vendors registered with Municipal Corporations or Town Vending Committees under the Street Vendors Act 2014 will be deemed registered with FSSAI.
The deemed registration is expected to benefit more than 10 lakh street food vendors by removing the need for multiple registrations.

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ESIC Marks 75th Year of Service with Infrastructure Expansion and NHA-NABL MoUs (End of February) ▼

The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) commenced its 75th Year of Service celebrations at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Established in 1952 with 1.2 lakh beneficiaries and one dispensary, ESIC now serves over 15 crore beneficiaries through 166 hospitals, 17 medical colleges, and nearly 1,600 dispensaries.
The organisation's footprint currently extends across 713 districts in 36 States and Union Territories (UTs).
Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya released a commemorative coin (ESIC@75), the ESIC@75 Coffee Table Book, and launched the Swasthya Rath Initiative.
ESIC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Health Authority (NHA) for the convergence of the ESI Scheme with Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
An MoU was signed between ESIC and the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) to improve diagnostic standards and laboratory accreditation.
Under the new Labour Codes, ESIC’s mandate includes pan-India coverage and the extension of benefits to unorganised and gig workers.
The Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE) highlighted that workers aged 40 and above are now mandated to receive annual health check-ups for preventive care.
India was recently recognised by the International Social Security Association (ISSA) for excellence in social security administration.
ESIC will observe a nationwide Special Services Fortnight from 24 February to 10 March 2026, featuring health camps, preventive screenings, and grievance redressal drives.

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya delivers keynote at ESIC 75th Year of Service celebrations. (End of February) ▼

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, delivered the keynote address at the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) 75th Year of Service celebrations held at Bharat Mandapam.
Ms. Vandana Gurnani, Secretary, Labour & Employment, stated that ESIC has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s social security architecture.
ESIC signed an MoU with the National Health Authority to converge the ESI Scheme with Ayushman Bharat–PM-JAY.
ESIC signed an MoU with the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) to strengthen quality assurance in laboratories.

Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill 2025 raises FDI limit to 100% (End of December) ▼

The Union Cabinet approved the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025 to revamp India’s insurance framework.
The Bill raises the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in Indian insurance companies from 74% to 100%.
It reduces the Net Owned Funds requirement for foreign reinsurers from Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 1,000 crore.
IRDAI gets enhanced enforcement powers, including authority to disgorge wrongful gains made by insurers or intermediaries.
LIC is empowered to set up new zonal offices without prior government approval and to align overseas operations with host-country laws.

PM VIKAS: Skill Training for 2,110 Minority Youth through NIFTEM-K (End of December) ▼

The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) has selected the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) Kundli as a Project Implementing Agency (PIA) to implement the PM VIKAS scheme.
Under this project, NIFTEM-K will train a total of 2,110 beneficiaries from the minority community.
The training will be conducted across seven locations in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana.
The program includes three training categories: Multi Skill Technician (Food Processing), Millet Products Processor, and Assistant Baking Technician.
The project will provide National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) compliant skill training through National Council of Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) approved courses.
The initiative aims to facilitate placement in wage employment, self-employment, or apprenticeship, with certification from institutions approved by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
The program is scheduled to be rolled out in January 2026.

Inland Waterways Projects on Brahmaputra (NW-2) with ₹526 crore Investment Launched

[Assam]

Key Updates:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated an elevated road corridor connecting Pandu Port in Guwahati to National Highway-27 built with an investment of ₹180 crore.
He laid the foundation stone for the Cruise Terminal at Biswanath Ghat and performed Bhoomi Pujan for the Cruise Terminal at Neamati with a combined investment of ₹158 crore.
Bhoomi Pujan was performed for the Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) at Bogibeel, Dibrugarh, being developed with an investment of ₹188 crore to train over 5,000 students annually in vessel operations, inland navigation and maritime logistics.
All four projects are being implemented by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) to boost infrastructure on inland waterways on river Brahmaputra (NW-2).

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Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal lays foundation for India's first river lighthouses in Assam (Start of March) ▼

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal laid foundation stones for four river lighthouses on the Brahmaputra in Assam, the first such infrastructure on an inland waterway in India.
The lighthouses are located at Bogibeel in Dibrugarh, Pandu in Kamrup Metropolitan, Silghat in Nagaon, and Biswanath Ghat in Biswanath along National Waterway-2 (NW-2).
The project has a combined outlay of ₹ 84 crore, with each 20-metre-high lighthouse powered entirely by solar energy.
Each structure will have a geographical range of 14 nautical miles and a luminous range of 8–10 nautical miles to enable 24x7 safe navigation and accommodate weather observation sensors.
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the project in April 2025.
The DGLL, under the MoPSW, is the statutory authority responsible for providing aids to navigation across India's 11,098 kilometre coastline and inland waterways.
The initiative follows a 53 per cent surge in cargo movement on the Brahmaputra waterway recorded by IWAI in the financial year 2024–25.

Three inland waterways projects on Brahmaputra inaugurated (Start of March) ▼

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated three projects on National Waterway-2 (River Brahmaputra) on 27 February 2026 at Chowkidingee Playground, Dibrugarh.
The projects comprise the Customs and Immigration Complex at Bogibeel, the Customs and Immigration Complex at Dhubri, and the renovated Heritage Building of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) at Dibrugarh.
The Bogibeel complex integrates customs, immigration and IWAI administrative functions within a single tourist-cum-cargo terminal to facilitate trade under Indo-Bangladesh Protocol routes.
The Dhubri complex is positioned as a strategic gateway for cross-border commerce with Bangladesh and Bhutan in western Assam.
Under the National Waterways Act 2016, twenty rivers in the Northeast have been declared National Waterways, with Brahmaputra (NW-2), Barak (NW-16), Dhansiri (NW-31) and Kopili (NW-57) being actively developed.

Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Inaugurates Three Infrastructure Projects on National Waterway-2 (Start of March) ▼

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated three major inland waterways infrastructure projects on National Waterway-2 (NW-2) on the River Brahmaputra.
The three projects comprise the Customs and Immigration Complex at Bogibeel, the Customs and Immigration Complex at Dhubri, and the renovated Heritage Building of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) at Dibrugarh.
The Bogibeel complex serves as a modern tourist-cum-cargo terminal designed to improve operational efficiency and facilitate trade under the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol routes.
The Dhubri complex is designed to enhance regulatory oversight and boost export-import operations with Bangladesh and Bhutan in western Assam.
The renovated Heritage Building at Dibrugarh will serve the administrative needs of the IWAI and promote riverine tourism.
Under the National Waterways Act, 2016, twenty rivers in the Northeast have been declared National Waterways, including NW-2 (Brahmaputra), NW-16 (Barak), NW-31 (Dhansiri), and NW-57 (Kopili).

Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Launched with ₹6,957-Crore Outlay (Mid of January) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Rs 6,957-crore Kaziranga Elevated Corridor in Assam.
The corridor is aimed at ensuring safe wildlife movement across the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve and reducing road accidents on National Highway-715.
The project is intended to boost ecotourism while generating local employment opportunities.
Two Amrit Bharat trains were virtually flagged off in the Nagaon district of Assam.
The foundation stone for the project was laid on 18 Jan 2026.

Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 (JJM 2.0) extended till December 2028 with enhanced outlay of ₹8.69 lakh crore

Key Updates:

Union Cabinet approved extension of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 (JJM 2.0) up to December 2028 with total outlay enhanced from ₹3.60 lakh crore to ₹8.69 lakh crore.
Union Minister of Jal Shakti (MoJS) launched Sujal Gaon ID, a unique digital identifier for rural piped water supply schemes, creating 1.64 lakh IDs across 31 States/UTs linked to 67,000 Sujalam Bharat IDs.
Central fund release under JJM 2.0 is conditional upon States/UTs meeting four mandatory requirements: signing MoU, creation of Sujal Gaon IDs, timely financial reconciliation, and notification of State O&M Policies.
MoU commitments for States/UTs cover policy reforms, asset management, planning and financing, digital monitoring, skilling, water quality surveillance, and community engagement.

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Shri C. R. Paatil Launches Jal Mahotsav 2026 as Union Minister of Jal Shakti (Mid of March) ▼

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

Survey of India (SoI) inks five-year MoU with Digital University of Kerala (DUK) for geospatial and AI research (Start of March) ▼

Survey of India (SoI), the national nodal agency for geospatial data under the Department of Science and Technology, signed a five-year MoU with Digital University of Kerala (DUK).
The MoU focuses on academic and research collaboration in geo-informatics, AI, machine learning for automated feature extraction, geodesy, astronomy and related engineering disciplines.
SoI officials can pursue postgraduate and doctoral programmes at DUK with joint supervision of research.
The partnership includes customised training programmes, expert lectures, collaborative research projects, co-authored publications and joint participation in national and international initiatives.
DUK students will gain internships, capstone projects and dissertation opportunities at SoI under joint mentorship.
Both institutions will share research infrastructure, geospatial datasets, laboratories and library resources.

Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) receives Rs 1.51 lakh crore additional outlay with digital mapping (Mid of March) ▼

Union Cabinet approved an additional Rs 1.51 lakh crore for Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) till 2028.
Total scheme outlay till 2028 set at Rs 8.70 lakh crore, with Centre’s share of Rs 3.59 lakh crore including Rs 2.08 lakh crore allocated in 2019.
National digital framework ‘Sujalam Bharat’ will map the drinking water supply system from source to tap.
Every village will be assigned a unique Sujal Gaon/Service Area ID under the new digital framework.
Gram Panchayats and Village Water & Sanitation Committees will certify works and declare ‘Har Ghar Jal’ only after confirming in-village operation and maintenance mechanisms.

UIDAI partners with Google to show verified Aadhaar centres on Google Maps (End of February) ▼

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.

Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) Organises AMRUT Mitra Mahotsav to Expand Women-Led Water Governance to 5000 Cities

[Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs]

Key Updates:

The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) hosted the AMRUT Mitra Mahotsav at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, to celebrate the leadership of women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in urban water services.
The event was chaired by the Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, with participation from over 1000 women and 300 officials from 30 States and Union Territories (UTs).
The Government of India announced a vision to expand the AMRUT Mitra model from the current 1900 cities to 5000 cities to ensure deeper penetration of women-led governance.
Currently, more than 45,000 SHG members are actively engaged as AMRUT Mitras across 1910 cities in 34 States and UTs under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (AMRUT 2.0).
AMRUT Mitras from Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka shared narratives on water quality testing and community mobilisation.
The Union Minister launched the AMRUT Mitra Best Practices Compendium to document successful interventions in urban water management.
Treated wastewater reuse has been identified as a major priority under AMRUT 2.0 as cities shift towards a circular and sustainable water economy.
SHG women are being integrated into emerging services including digital water management systems, smart metering, data-based monitoring, and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns.
The AMRUT Mitra model involves women in operational roles such as billing and collection, Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) operations, and the operation and maintenance of water assets.

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Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari campaign endorses Aawa Paani Jhoki water conservation drive (Start of March) ▼

The Centre's Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari campaign endorses the community-driven 'Aawa Paani Jhoki' movement in Chhattisgarh's Korea district.
Farmers voluntarily allocated 5% of their land to build small recharge ponds and terraced pits for rainwater harvesting.
Over 440 traditional ponds have been revived, raising groundwater levels by 3–4 metres in several areas.
More than 2,000 soak pits have been constructed under the initiative.
Women volunteers called 'Neer Nayikas' and youth volunteers known as 'Jal Doots' lead education and community engagement activities.
Over 500 homes have participated through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

Shri C. R. Paatil Launches Jal Mahotsav 2026 as Union Minister of Jal Shakti (Mid of March) ▼

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

Ministry of Jal Shakti Honours 58 WaSH Warriors as Special Guests for 77th Republic Day (End of January) ▼

The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, hosted 58 WaSH Warriors from Swachh Sujal Gaon villages as Special Guests for the 77th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi.
The WaSH Warriors were nominated by States and Union Territories under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to represent rural households, marginalised communities, and Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) majority villages.
Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri C. R. Patil, chaired the Samvad Samaroh on 27 January 2026, attended by Ministers of State Shri V. Somanna and Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary.
The JJM has reportedly benefited over 9.5 crore women and saved an estimated 4.5 crore hours of their time by providing household tap water connections.
A booklet titled Peyjal: Jan Shakti Ki Abhivyakti – Volume II was released to document the journeys of WaSH Warriors and grassroots leadership in sustainable drinking water systems.
The event highlighted community leaders including Shri Motilal from Chhattisgarh, Ms Nijuma Devi from Assam, Mrs Lentsothsi from Nagaland, and Shri Amrutbhai Parmar from Gujarat.
The honoured guests belong to villages that are Har Ghar Jal certified under JJM and ODF Plus Model verified under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen).
Shri Kamal Kishore Soan, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM), interacted with the warriors at Pandit Deendayal Antyodaya Bhawan.

Jal Seva Aankalan empowers villages to judge their own water services (Start of January) ▼

Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, e-launched Jal Seva Aankalan, a Gram Panchayat-led digital drinking water service functionality assessment tool on the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) portal.
The assessment is a structured, community-led self-review process enabling villages to evaluate regularity, adequacy, quality and sustainability of drinking water supply.
All Har Ghar Jal Gram Panchayats are expected to complete Jal Seva Aankalan by 26th January 2026.

MoFPI Inaugurates ₹2.35 Crore Food Processing Incubation Centre under PMFME Scheme

Key Updates:

Union Minister for Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) Chirag Paswan inaugurated a Common Incubation Centre at Tezpur University in the Sonitpur district of Assam on 13 March 2026.
The facility was established with a total outlay of ₹2.35 crore, funded through 100% financial assistance from the MoFPI.
The centre is launched under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, which operates under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
The project aims to support micro food processing enterprises, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives, and start-ups.
The incubation hub includes seven specialised processing lines for fruits, grains, spices, bakery products, confectionery, packaging, and quality testing.
The facility is designed to serve entrepreneurs in the Assam districts of Sonitpur, Darrang, Udalguri, Biswanath, Nagaon, and Golaghat.
According to the MoFPI, more than 1.87 lakh micro food processing enterprises have received loan approvals nationwide under the PMFME Scheme.

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Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and Infrastructure Projects worth ₹5,650 Crore (Mid of March) ▼

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.

PM Modi announces India-France Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence at Kanpur (End of February) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) in Kanpur.
The Centre will operate under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
France will collaborate in establishing the Centre, which will offer advanced training in aeronautics, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul operations, airport management, and defence production.
A Letter of Intent was exchanged between MSDE and the French government to formalise cooperation under PM-SETU, building on the 2025 Memorandum of Understanding on vocational education and training.

PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks: ₹70,000 Crore Industry Investment and 10 Lakh Jobs per Park (Mid of December) ▼

The Ministry of Textiles (MoT) and the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) conducted a stakeholder consultation for three upcoming PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model.
"DPRs worth ₹5,567 crore have been finalised for the three PPP-mode parks" located in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Kalaburagi (Karnataka), and Navsari (Gujarat).
The PM MITRA Parks are "inspired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s 5F vision—Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign" to create fully integrated, end-to-end textile value chains.
"Investor interest across the three states has crossed ₹20,054 crore, driven largely by the composite textile segment."
Seven PM MITRA Parks have been announced across Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
The projected impact of the scheme includes "₹70,000 crore in industry investments" and "10 lakh employment opportunities per park."

Assam rolls out Provincialisation Management System (PMS 1.0) portal and Guru Dakshina scheme (End of February) ▼

The Assam government launched the Provincialisation Management System (PMS 1.0) portal to streamline provincialisation of venture educational institutions under the Assam Education (Provincialisation of Services of Teachers and Re-Organisation of Educational Institutions) Act, 2017, as amended in 2025.
Institutions established before 2006 will be considered for provincialisation and must submit documentary proof through the portal.
The government will open around 75,000 teacher and lecturer vacancies this year, with UGC-qualified candidates assured fair opportunities.
The Guru Dakshina scheme provides one-time financial assistance to teachers who missed earlier provincialisation due to lack of certificates or eligibility issues, and they will receive preference marks in future recruitment.

Global Conference on the Role of Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS-2026) inaugurated

Key Updates:

President Droupadi Murmu addressed the inaugural session of GCWAS-2026 in New Delhi on 12 March 2026.
United Nations has declared 2026 as ‘The International Year of the Woman Farmer’.
GCWAS-2026 is jointly organised by Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPV&FRA).
The three-day conference aims to deliberate on strengthening policy frameworks to mainstream gender participation in agri-food systems.
President stated that girls comprise over 50 percent of students in state agricultural universities and over 60 percent in many universities.
President urged greater role for women in agriculture in policy formulation, decision-making and leadership positions.
President highlighted initiatives promoting women-led Self-Help Groups and Farmer Producer Organisations as effective in women empowerment in agriculture.

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GCWAS-2026: President Highlights SHE Marts and 6 Crore Lakhpati Didi Target (Mid of March) ▼

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the three-day Global Conference on the Role of Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS-2026) in New Delhi on 12 March 2026.
The United Nations (UN) has declared 2026 as the International Year of Women Farmers to promote leadership roles for women across the agri-food value chain.
The Union Budget 2025-26 introduced SHE Marts (Self-Help Entrepreneur Marts), which are community-owned retail outlets to be established in every district for Self-Help Group (SHG) products.
The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) has set a target of creating 6 crore Lakhpati Didis earning over ₹1 lakh annually, with over 3 crore women already achieving this status.
Under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana—National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), over 10 crore rural households and 90 lakh SHGs have been mobilised.
The Jan Dhan Yojana has reached 570 million bank accounts, of which 56% are held by women, while women constitute 68% of all Mudra loan beneficiaries.
The Namo Drone Didi scheme provides drones to women SHGs to facilitate precision agriculture and reduce drudgery in the farm sector.
The President highlighted 'Sarlaben', an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered initiative inspired by the government livestock care vision, as a tool for women farmers.
The government has conferred Padma Shri awards on women farmers from the states of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Bihar.
Key attendees included Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Director General M L Jat, and Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority (PPVFRA) chairperson Trilochana Mohapatra.

Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS–2026) appoints Dr Renu Swarup as Conference Chair. (Mid of March) ▼

Dr Renu Swarup, former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, has been appointed Conference Chair for GCWAS–2026.
Dr Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), has been appointed Co-Chair of GCWAS–2026.
Dr Raj S. Paroda, Chairman of Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS), will serve as Chief Patron of GCWAS–2026.
Dr M.L. Jat, Secretary of Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of ICAR, is one of the Patrons of GCWAS–2026.
Dr T. Mohapatra, Chairperson of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPV&FRA), is also a Patron of GCWAS–2026.
Dr Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), is another Patron of GCWAS–2026.

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Proclaims 2026 as International Year for Rangelands, Volunteers, and Women Farmers (Start of January) ▼

The United Nations (UN) declared 2026 as the 'International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP)' to highlight ecosystems that cover about half the world’s land.
Through Resolution 78/127, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 2026 as the 'International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY)'.
The United Nations (UN) declared 2026 the 'International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026)' to spotlight roles in agrifood systems.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared the first-ever 'United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport' to run from 2026 to 2035.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reported a 'historic 10% decline in freedom of expression globally between 2012 and 2024'.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released the 'Global Environment Outlook, Seventh Edition: A Future We Choose (GEO-7)' on 9 December 2025, involving 287 scientists from 82 countries.
Slovenia, acting as President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for December 2025, held an open debate on 'Leadership for peace' on 15 December 2025.
The Republic of Sierra Leone, as President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for November 2025, held a briefing on 18 November 2025 regarding 'Enhancing regional counter-terrorism cooperation in West Africa and the Sahel'.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released a new safety guide titled 'Monitoring for Protection of the Public and the Environment' to help countries design radiation monitoring programmes.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/79/137 proclaiming 'World Meditation Day'.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) launched a database compiling national laws and decrees governing meteorology and hydrology across all member nations.
The World Bank released the 'World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development' to assess how standards accelerate economic development.

Indian Micro-Fertilisers Manufacturers Association (IMMA) to organise 6th National Crop Nutrition Summit & B2B Expo in Mumbai on 5-6 February 2026 (Start of February) ▼

Indian Micro-Fertilisers Manufacturers Association (IMMA) will hold the 6th National Crop Nutrition Summit & B2B Expo on 5 and 6 February 2026 at National Stock Exchange (NSE), Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai.
The summit theme is 'Converge, Collaborate & Co-create' and will focus on crop nutrition, specialty fertilisers, biologicals, micronutrients, and India’s role in global agri-input manufacturing.
Minister of Marketing & Protocol, Government of Maharashtra, Jayakumar Jitendrasinh Rawal, will inaugurate the summit.
Agriculture Commissioner, Government of India, Dr P. K. Singh, will attend as Guest of Honour and outline government perspective on agri-input reforms, ease of doing business, export competitiveness and specialty crop nutrition products.
Participants include senior officials from Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), national research institutions, State Agriculture Departments, and Commissioners of Agriculture from several states including Maharashtra.
Day 1 themed 'Converge & Collaborate' will feature inaugural session, policy dialogue on One Nation, One License proposal, farmer recognition program, roundtable on integrating micronutrients and biologicals into fertiliser policy, 'Media Speaks' session, startup pitch platform, and industry networking sessions.
Day 2 themed 'Co-Create' will focus on structured B2B meetings, masterclasses on international trade, institutional and government business, fundraising, and sessions on manufacturing, data analytics and digital technologies.
The summit will conclude with an Industry–Government–Startup Conclave and a closing policymakers’ interaction.
IMMA will highlight policy priorities such as implementation of One Nation, One License, faster approval processes for micronutrients, biologicals and specialty fertilisers, differentiation between subsidised and non-subsidised agri inputs, export-oriented regulations, and stronger enforcement against counterfeit and sub-standard products.

PM unveils ₹23,550 crore infrastructure projects in Assam's Silchar

[Assam]

Key Updates:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled projects worth ₹23,550 crore in Silchar, Assam on Saturday ahead of the assembly elections.
The ₹22,864 crore access-controlled expressway between Silchar (Cachar district) and Shillong (Meghalaya) is the first of its kind in the Northeast.
The 166-km four-lane greenfield high-speed corridor will cut Guwahati-Silchar distance from 295 km to 252 km and travel time from 8.5 hours to around 5 hours.
An elevated corridor on NH-306 from Trunk Road near Capital Point to Rangirkhari Point in Silchar will be built at ₹565 crore to ease congestion and improve links with Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur.
The PM laid the foundation stone for the ₹122 crore College of Agriculture at Patharkandi in Karimganj district.
These projects are part of ₹47,800 crore worth of projects unveiled by the PM in Assam since Friday.

Similar Coverage

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and Infrastructure Projects worth ₹5,650 Crore (Mid of March) ▼

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.

Assam Government Launches Mission Basundhara 3.0 for Land Patta Distribution (Start of March) ▼

Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma launched Mission Basundhara 3.0 at Deuri Beel in Dhemaji to provide land titles to indigenous landless families.
A total of 1,06,905 beneficiaries across Assam received land pattas during the launch, with 44,700 individuals belonging to the Dhemaji district.
In Dhemaji, land titles were distributed to 14,319 beneficiaries from Dhemaji constituency, 10,744 from Sissiborgaon, and 19,637 from Jonai.
Land pattas were granted to 13,637 educational institutions, 8,406 religious institutions, and 2,213 clubs and cultural organisations across the state.
Land settlement was initiated in 769 previously un-surveyed (NC) villages where surveys were completed under the Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA) scheme.
Forest land rights were granted to 538 individuals in the Subansiri and Jiadhal Reserved Forests under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.
The government fixed a nominal premium of ₹500 per bigha for granting land titles to poor families.
The CM inaugurated a newly constructed Integrated District Commissioner (DC) Office in Dhemaji, involving a financial outlay of ₹49 crore.
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is scheduled to formally launch the distribution of land pattas to tea garden workers on 13 March.
Urban land holding regulations in Dhemaji were revised to allow individuals to hold up to three bighas within the designated town area, up from the previous limit of one and a half kathas.
Land rights were granted to Ahom, Chutia, and other communities residing in Tribal Belts and Blocks in areas such as Dhemaji and Dhakuakhana.
Mission Basundhara 4.0 and 5.0 will address land reclassification and the granting of land titles to eligible non-tribal residents of forest villages.
The state government has cleared 1.5 lakh bighas of encroached land over the past five years and aims to free another 5 lakh bighas in the future.

Assam Interim Budget 2026-27: Rs 62,294.78 Crore Outlay and ULFA Peace Package (Mid of February) ▼

Assam Finance Minister Ajanta Neog tabled an interim budget of ₹62,294.78 crore for the financial year 2026–27 to seek a Vote on Account.
The 16th Finance Commission increased the inter-se share for Assam to 3.258 per cent, which is expected to result in a devolution exceeding ₹50,000 crore.
The Government of India (GoI) earmarked ₹500 crore as the first tranche of a ₹5,000 crore special development and rehabilitation package under the 2023 United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) peace accord.
The Assam government committed ₹3,000 crore from its own resources for infrastructure and development projects linked to the ULFA peace agreement.
A 69-kilometre Kokrajhar–Gelephu new railway line has been sanctioned under the India–Bhutan connectivity initiative.
The budget proposes the construction of 40-km underground railway tracks along the Siliguri corridor to fortify the Chicken’s Neck region.
A highway project is planned from the semiconductor plant at Jagiroad to the Bhutan border via Udalguri, including a new bridge over the Brahmaputra river.
The state government requested a feasibility study for five new airports in Nagaon, Diphu, Umrangso, Majuli, and Manas.
The government reported providing over 1.58 lakh transparent appointments, surpassing the initial target of 1 lakh government jobs.
The state is finalising discussions with tea associations to announce enhanced wages for tea garden workers within the current year.

PM Modi inaugurates and flags off projects worth Rs 5,450 crore in Assam (Mid of February) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Assam and launched development projects worth over Rs 5,450 crore aimed at improving connectivity, digital infrastructure, higher education, and urban mobility in the North-East.
He landed at the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on the Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh, the first such dual-use facility in the North-East, developed with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to handle fighter aircraft up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft up to 74 tonnes.
PM Modi inspected the newly built Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu, a six-lane extradosed PSC bridge across the Brahmaputra, constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 3,030 crore, reducing travel time between Guwahati and North Guwahati to seven minutes.
He inaugurated the National Data Centre for the North-Eastern Region at Amingaon in Kamrup district, with a sanctioned load of 8.5 MW and average rack capacity of 10 kW, to host mission-critical government applications and serve as a Disaster Recovery centre.
PM Modi inaugurated the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Guwahati, adding to higher education infrastructure in the North-East.
He flagged off 225 electric buses under the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme, with 100 for Guwahati, 50 each for Nagpur and Bhavnagar, and 25 for Chandigarh, expected to benefit over 50 lakh citizens.

PM Modi inaugurates Adani Ports’ Haldia Bulk Terminal with 4 MMTPA capacity

[Adani Ports]

Key Updates:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned the Haldia Bulk Terminal (HBT), a fully automated dry bulk handling facility developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) at the Haldia Dock Complex of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port.
The terminal has an annual cargo handling capacity of four million metric tonnes (MMTPA) and is located on the Hooghly River.
Developed under a 30-year concession through the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model by HDC Bulk Terminal Ltd, construction began on July 14, 2023.
The facility includes a 2,000-tonne Railway Wagon Loading System (RWLS), a 1.54-km dedicated rail line for direct ship-to-train cargo evacuation, advanced conveyor systems, two stacker-cum-reclaimers for automated stockyard operations, and two mobile harbour cranes.
The terminal is designed to handle imported coal and other dry bulk commodities and will serve industrial consumers in West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand.

Similar Coverage

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and Infrastructure Projects worth ₹5,650 Crore (Mid of March) ▼

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.

Assam Government Launches Mission Basundhara 3.0 for Land Patta Distribution (Start of March) ▼

Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma launched Mission Basundhara 3.0 at Deuri Beel in Dhemaji to provide land titles to indigenous landless families.
A total of 1,06,905 beneficiaries across Assam received land pattas during the launch, with 44,700 individuals belonging to the Dhemaji district.
In Dhemaji, land titles were distributed to 14,319 beneficiaries from Dhemaji constituency, 10,744 from Sissiborgaon, and 19,637 from Jonai.
Land pattas were granted to 13,637 educational institutions, 8,406 religious institutions, and 2,213 clubs and cultural organisations across the state.
Land settlement was initiated in 769 previously un-surveyed (NC) villages where surveys were completed under the Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA) scheme.
Forest land rights were granted to 538 individuals in the Subansiri and Jiadhal Reserved Forests under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.
The government fixed a nominal premium of ₹500 per bigha for granting land titles to poor families.
The CM inaugurated a newly constructed Integrated District Commissioner (DC) Office in Dhemaji, involving a financial outlay of ₹49 crore.
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is scheduled to formally launch the distribution of land pattas to tea garden workers on 13 March.
Urban land holding regulations in Dhemaji were revised to allow individuals to hold up to three bighas within the designated town area, up from the previous limit of one and a half kathas.
Land rights were granted to Ahom, Chutia, and other communities residing in Tribal Belts and Blocks in areas such as Dhemaji and Dhakuakhana.
Mission Basundhara 4.0 and 5.0 will address land reclassification and the granting of land titles to eligible non-tribal residents of forest villages.
The state government has cleared 1.5 lakh bighas of encroached land over the past five years and aims to free another 5 lakh bighas in the future.

Assam Interim Budget 2026-27: Rs 62,294.78 Crore Outlay and ULFA Peace Package (Mid of February) ▼

Assam Finance Minister Ajanta Neog tabled an interim budget of ₹62,294.78 crore for the financial year 2026–27 to seek a Vote on Account.
The 16th Finance Commission increased the inter-se share for Assam to 3.258 per cent, which is expected to result in a devolution exceeding ₹50,000 crore.
The Government of India (GoI) earmarked ₹500 crore as the first tranche of a ₹5,000 crore special development and rehabilitation package under the 2023 United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) peace accord.
The Assam government committed ₹3,000 crore from its own resources for infrastructure and development projects linked to the ULFA peace agreement.
A 69-kilometre Kokrajhar–Gelephu new railway line has been sanctioned under the India–Bhutan connectivity initiative.
The budget proposes the construction of 40-km underground railway tracks along the Siliguri corridor to fortify the Chicken’s Neck region.
A highway project is planned from the semiconductor plant at Jagiroad to the Bhutan border via Udalguri, including a new bridge over the Brahmaputra river.
The state government requested a feasibility study for five new airports in Nagaon, Diphu, Umrangso, Majuli, and Manas.
The government reported providing over 1.58 lakh transparent appointments, surpassing the initial target of 1 lakh government jobs.
The state is finalising discussions with tea associations to announce enhanced wages for tea garden workers within the current year.

PM Modi inaugurates and flags off projects worth Rs 5,450 crore in Assam (Mid of February) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Assam and launched development projects worth over Rs 5,450 crore aimed at improving connectivity, digital infrastructure, higher education, and urban mobility in the North-East.
He landed at the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on the Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh, the first such dual-use facility in the North-East, developed with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to handle fighter aircraft up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft up to 74 tonnes.
PM Modi inspected the newly built Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu, a six-lane extradosed PSC bridge across the Brahmaputra, constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 3,030 crore, reducing travel time between Guwahati and North Guwahati to seven minutes.
He inaugurated the National Data Centre for the North-Eastern Region at Amingaon in Kamrup district, with a sanctioned load of 8.5 MW and average rack capacity of 10 kW, to host mission-critical government applications and serve as a Disaster Recovery centre.
PM Modi inaugurated the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Guwahati, adding to higher education infrastructure in the North-East.
He flagged off 225 electric buses under the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme, with 100 for Guwahati, 50 each for Nagpur and Bhavnagar, and 25 for Chandigarh, expected to benefit over 50 lakh citizens.

Samriddhi Kendra inaugurated under Samriddh Gram Phygital Services Initiative to deliver integrated citizen services in rural Madhya Pradesh.

[Madhya Pradesh]

Key Updates:

Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurated the Samriddhi Kendra at Umri village in Guna district, Madhya Pradesh.
The Samriddhi Kendra is an Integrated Phygital (Physical + Digital) Service Centre under the Samriddh Gram Phygital Services Pilot Initiative of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
The initiative leverages BharatNet high-speed broadband infrastructure to transform digital connectivity into an integrated platform for delivery of citizen-centric services in rural areas.
The centre provides telemedicine consultations, a Health ATM for basic diagnostics, and access to affordable medicines through Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
Education and skilling facilities include smart classroom infrastructure, digital learning access, digital training programmes supported by the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), and skill development programmes for rural youth.
Agriculture services include soil testing support, agricultural advisory services, access to modern farming technologies, and drone-based agriculture services.
The centre facilitates assisted access to e-governance services, including information on government schemes, issuance of certificates, digital documentation, and support for online citizen services.
Financial and digital services include banking and digital payment services, financial literacy support, and assisted access to e-commerce platforms.
Connectivity services are provided through BharatNet-enabled high-speed FTTH broadband and public Wi-Fi access under the PM-WANI framework.
The centre operates on a community-driven model involving trained local youth serving as Village Level Entrepreneurs.
The initiative is implemented by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in partnership with the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF).

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e-Swasthya Samvad: Strengthening Governance in Medical Education (End of December) ▼

The Rajasthan government has launched a new digital communication platform, 'e-Swasthya Samvad (ESS)', to improve governance, transparency and coordination in the Medical Education Department (MED).
The initiative has been introduced under the direction of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Medical Education Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar as part of efforts to strengthen health services through technology-driven reforms.
The platform would function as a dedicated digital interface connecting all stakeholders associated with medical education and health services, enabling faster decision-making and effective implementation of health programmes.
The interaction will be held in two phases, including an open interaction with faculty members, doctors, nursing staff, students and the public from 6 pm.
Medical Education Commissioner Naresh Goyal said 'e-Swasthya Samvad' will be conducted twice a week -- every Tuesday and Thursday -- through video conferencing.
Decisions taken during meetings will be recorded instantly, and concerned officials will be required to submit action taken reports within 72 hours.
The platform was launched on Dec 29, 2025, to facilitate discussions on budget announcements, implementation of health schemes, and infrastructure projects.

NITI Aayog launches Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 to saturate 5 KPIs in Aspirational Districts and 6 KPIs in Aspirational Blocks (End of January) ▼

NITI Aayog launched the 3-month Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 campaign running from 28 January to 14 April 2026.
The campaign targets saturation of 5 Key Performance Indicators in 112 Aspirational Districts and 6 Key Performance Indicators in 513 Aspirational Blocks.
Shri B.V.R Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog, inaugurated the campaign in the presence of Shri Rohit Kumar, Additional Secretary and Mission Director, Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme, NITI Aayog.
Aspirational Blocks will focus on indicators including percentage of children aged 6 months to 6 years receiving Supplementary Nutrition under ICDS, measurement efficiency of Anganwadi-enrolled children, functional toilets and drinking water in operational Anganwadi Centres, adequate girls' toilet facilities in schools, and percentage of bovine animals vaccinated against Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
Aspirational Districts will prioritise indicators such as proportion of live births weighed at birth, Tuberculosis case notification rate, conduct of Village or Urban Health Sanitation & Nutrition Days, functional girls' toilets in schools, and percentage of animals vaccinated.
Districts and Blocks will prepare a 3-month Action Plan, track monthly progress, run awareness and behaviour change campaigns, and conduct concurrent monitoring field visits.
NITI Aayog will collaborate with relevant Central Ministries, States, and Union Territories to improve planning, implementation, capacity building, and sustainable service delivery.

Ministry of Women and Child Development Launches Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign

Key Updates:

The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) launched the national campaign Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat on 27th November 2024 to make India child-marriage-free.
A 100 Days Special Campaign under the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat initiative was launched on 4th December 2025 to intensify outreach to institutions and community leaders.
The Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Portal serves as a digital platform for reporting incidents and maintains a repository of over 66,000 Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) up to the Gram Panchayat level.
As on 9th March 2026, awareness programmes reached over 11.81 crore citizens and more than 40 lakh pledges against child marriage were registered on the portal.
The Child Helpline (1098) provides 24x7 emergency outreach and is integrated with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112) for round-the-clock response.
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) component under Mission Shakti, launched on 22nd January 2015, aims to address gender-based discrimination and promote girl child empowerment.
The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) provides free legal aid through the dedicated helpline 15100.
Under The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA), State Governments are authorised to appoint CMPOs to prevent child marriages and collect evidence for prosecution.
The Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 confers powers on District Magistrates to implement provisions and designate District Nodal Officers (DNOs).

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Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat: National Pledge for Child Marriage-Free India (Start of January) ▼

Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (BVMB) was launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development on November 27, 2024.
BVMB deploys dedicated Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) mandated under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
UNICEF provides technical support for data-driven interventions and capacity-building workshops for CMPOs and One Stop Centres.
An intensive 100-day awareness drive under BVMB is running until March 2026.

Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 approved to curb forced conversion (Mid of March) ▼

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.

Andhra Pradesh Population Management Strategy: ₹25,000 Incentive for Second Child (Start of March) ▼

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) N. Chandrababu Naidu announced a proposed Population Management Strategy to address the state’s declining fertility rate.
The state government is considering a financial incentive of ₹25,000 for families at the time of delivery of a second or third child.
The proposed incentive will be part of a broader support package named Poshan–Shiksha–Suraksha.
The Poshan–Shiksha–Suraksha package aims to provide nutritional support, education assistance, and healthcare services to families and children.
The policy framework is designed to sustain the state's workforce, social stability, and economic growth by stabilising fertility levels.

Telangana Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill 2026 removes two-child norm for local body polls (Start of January) ▼

The Telangana Legislative Assembly passed the Telangana Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to abolish the two-child disqualification norm for contesting local body elections.
Panchayat Raj Minister Danasari Anasuya Seethakka stated the two-child norm was introduced in 1994 as a population control measure.
The rural fertility rate in Telangana is 1.7, below the replacement level, prompting the amendment to encourage a replacement rate of 2.1.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres marks International Day to Combat Islamophobia on 15 March

[United Nations]

Key Updates:

The International Day to Combat Islamophobia is observed on 15 March.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the world’s 2 billion Muslims reflect vast global diversity.
Guterres highlighted institutional discrimination, socioeconomic exclusion, biased immigration policies, and unwarranted surveillance against Muslims.
He warned that anti-Muslim rhetoric and hate can lead to harassment and violence against individuals and places of worship.
Governments were urged to take concrete steps to address hate speech, protect religious freedom, and ensure compliance with international human rights law.
Online platforms were asked to eliminate hate speech and harassment based on religion or belief.
In May 2025, the UN Secretary-General appointed the High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations as the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia.

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International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust observed on 27 January (End of January) ▼

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 60/7 designated 27 January as the annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust in 2005.
The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Death Camp on 27 January 1945.
The Holocaust led to the adoption of foundational documents by the United Nations (UN) in 1948, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
The UNGA established the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme in 2005 to mobilize outreach for combatting antisemitism and defending human rights.
Key UNGA resolutions related to this observance and the prevention of Holocaust denial include A/RES/60/7, A/RES/61/255, and A/RES/76/250.
The annual observance is held at the UN Headquarters in New York and through the global network of United Nations Information Centres (UNICs).

United Nations marks International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness on 5 March 2026 (Start of March) ▼

The International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness is observed every year on 5 March to promote better awareness and understanding of disarmament issues among the public, especially young people.
Global military expenditures reached a record $2.7 trillion in 2024.
An interactive ballot-box installation at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) Rotunda from 2 to 6 March 2026 invites visitors to vote on global spending priorities and reflect on redirecting resources toward education, health, and climate action.
The UN General Assembly has held three Special Sessions on Disarmament (SSOD) that shaped the disarmament architecture, yet a fourth session remains elusive since 1995.
The United Nations Secretary-General’s report titled 'The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future' will be discussed in a virtual briefing on 5 March at 10:15 am Nepal Time.
UNODA Occasional Paper No. 47, 'Revisiting Consensus in Multilateral Disarmament Discussions: Trends, Challenges and the Way Forward', authored by Adedeji Ebo and Katherine Prizeman, will be launched on 5 March at 3 PM EST at the Dag Hammarskjöld Library.
A second interactive ballot-box installation will be held at Schwedenplatz, Vienna, on 5 March afternoon to engage the public on global spending priorities.
On 5 March, the UN Regional Center for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) will meet high-school students from the Sacré-Coeur Avépozo Institute in Togo to discuss small arms, light weapons, and autonomous weapons systems.
On 6 March, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) will meet high-school students from Hiroshima, Japan, to discuss its work on disarmament and peacebuilding.
Suzuka Nakamura, a Japanese peace activist and third-generation hibakusha from Nagasaki, was selected as one of the UN Youth Office's 17 Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2025-2027.

United Nations observes World Interfaith Harmony Week from 1 to 7 February 2026 (Start of February) ▼

The World Interfaith Harmony Week is observed globally every year from 1 February to 7 February.
The week was designated by the United Nations (UN) to celebrate cooperation, understanding, and goodwill among people of all faiths and belief systems.
The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) organised an Interfaith Conclave in India as part of its initiatives to foster understanding and social cohesion.
The GPF conducted interfaith dialogues and service projects in Nigeria to promote the philosophy of One Family Under God.
The observance encourages activities that foster dialogue, collaborative action, and mutual respect among individuals of different traditions.
The initiative aims to build bridges of understanding across families, schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods to create resilient societies.

International Women's Day 2026 observed on March 8 with theme 'Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls' (Start of March) ▼

International Women's Day 2026 is observed globally on March 8.
The United Nations (UN) announced the 2026 theme as 'Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls'.
The UN officially recognised International Women's Day in 1975.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully tests CE20 cryogenic engine at 22-tonne thrust

[Indian Space Research Organisation]

Key Updates:

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) conducted a sea-level hot test of its CE20 cryogenic engine at 22-tonne thrust at the ISRO Propulsion Complex on March 10.
The CE20 engine powers the upper cryogenic stage of the LVM-3 launch vehicle.
The test lasted 165 seconds and used a nozzle protection system and a multi-element igniter.
ISRO plans to operate future LVM-3 missions with an uprated C32 cryogenic stage delivering 22-tonne thrust to enhance payload capability.
The cryogenic engine has undergone a record 20 successful hot tests demonstrating technologies including ignition using a multi-element igniter and engine qualification for Gaganyaan at 20-tonne thrust level.

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National Test House (NTH) and Standardization Testing & Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate sign MoU to integrate EMI/EMC testing for drone certification. (Start of February) ▼

National Test House (NTH) and Standardization Testing & Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate – Electronics Regional Test Laboratory (North) [ERTL (North)] signed an MoU on 2 February 2026.
The collaboration enables Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing of drones and their subsystems at ERTL (North).
EMI/EMC testing addresses regulatory requirements under the Drone Rules, 2021 and the Certification Scheme for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CSUAS), 2022.
ERTL (North) operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
NTH is approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Quality Council of India (QCI) as a Certification Body (CB) / Authorised Testing Entity (ATE) under CSUAS.
Testing will follow IEC 61000 / IS 14700 standards.
Integrated certification pathway offers drone manufacturers, especially startups and MSMEs, government-backed testing without duplication of high-cost infrastructure.
Drones certified through the collaboration will meet international benchmarks including IEC, ISO, MIL-STD, ASTM, and RTCA standards.
Lower testing costs aim to accelerate innovation in agriculture, logistics, healthcare delivery, disaster management, infrastructure monitoring, and smart cities.
National Test House (NTH), established in 1912, operates under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) qualifies upgraded third stage of SSLV via static test (Start of January) ▼

ISRO successfully carried out a static ground test of an improved version of the third stage of its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
The test was conducted at the Solid Motor Static Test Facility at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.
The improved SS3 motor features a carbon-epoxy composite motor case, reducing inert mass and yielding a payload gain of about 90 kg for SSLV.
The third stage alone delivers velocities of up to 4 km/second to the launch vehicle.
Nozzle control is achieved through a fault-tolerant electro-mechanical actuation system supported by low-power control electronics.

DRDL conducts 12-minute ground test of actively-cooled scramjet combustor (Mid of January) ▼

Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) successfully ran the full-scale combustor for over 12 minutes at the Scramjet Connect Pipe Test Facility.
The test validated the design of the actively-cooled scramjet combustor for hypersonic cruise missiles.
Hypersonic cruise missiles exceed five times the speed of sound (over 6,100 kmph) for extended periods.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tests Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology (Start of February) ▼

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully demonstrated the Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on February 3, 2026.
The SFDR was developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, and the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune.
The SFDR is an advanced air-breathing propulsion system where a solid fuel gas generator produces fuel-rich gases that mix with incoming air and burn in a ramjet combustor.
Unlike conventional rockets, the SFDR does not carry an oxidiser, making the system lighter and more efficient while providing sustained thrust and thrust modulation during flight.
The flight test validated several subsystems including a nozzle-less booster, SFDR motor, and fuel flow controller after the system was initially propelled by a ground booster motor to the desired Mach number.
The technology is critical for the development of long-range air-to-air missiles capable of intercepting aerial threats at supersonic speeds over very long ranges.
The use of solid fuel instead of liquid fuel in the SFDR system makes it simpler, safer, and easier to store and transport.

Zydus Lifesciences’ oral anaemia drug Desidustat wins China marketing nod

[Zydus Lifesciences, China]

Key Updates:

China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved Desidustat for renal anaemia in adult chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients not on dialysis.
Zydus licensed the drug to CMS International Development and Management Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of China Medical System Holdings, in 2020.
Desidustat is an oral Hypoxia-Inducible Factor–Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitor (HIF-PHI) that boosts endogenous erythropoietin and improves iron availability.
China has over 120 million CKD patients; anaemia prevalence rises from 22% in CKD stage 1 to 98.2% in stage 5.
Phase III trials in China met the primary efficacy endpoint and showed long-term haemoglobin maintenance with acceptable safety.
Desidustat is marketed in India under the brand Oxemia; more than 100,000 Indian CKD patients have used it since 2022.

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Sentynl Therapeutics Inc. Announces FDA Approval of ZYCUBO® (copper histidinate) for Menkes Disease (Mid of January) ▼

ZYCUBO® is now the first and only therapy approved for the treatment of Menkes disease in the United States.
Menkes disease is a rare X-linked recessive pediatric disease caused by mutations of the copper transporter ATP7A encoded by the ATP7A gene.
ZYCUBO® is a subcutaneous injectable formulation of copper histidinate that restores copper homeostasis and maintains copper levels in patients with Menkes disease.
Early treatment with ZYCUBO demonstrated a nearly 80% reduction in the risk of death compared to an untreated contemporaneous external control cohort.
The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥7%) included pneumonia, viral infection, respiratory failure, seizure, bacterial infection, hemorrhage, hypotension, vomiting, tachycardia, pyrexia, volume depletion, fracture, dyspnea, transaminases elevation, diarrhea, fungal infection, anemia, and local administration reaction.

FDA Expands Accrufer Approval to Pediatric Iron Deficiency (End of December) ▼

The Food and Drug Administration has expanded the approval of Accrufer® (ferric maltol) to include treatment of pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with iron deficiency.
Findings from the FORTIS trial showed the mean change in hemoglobin at week 12 was 1.10 g/dL.
Among the patients who received the recommended dosage of 30 mg twice daily (n=21), the mean change in Hb at week 12 was 1.23 g/dL (SD: 1.00).
At baseline, the mean ferritin level of study participants was 11.4 mcg/L; following treatment with Accrufer, the mean ferritin level at week 12 was 20 mcg/L (mean overall improvement of 8.6 mcg/L).
The most common adverse reactions reported with Accrufer include flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, discolored feces, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort/distention.

FDA Approves Aqvesme as First Oral Therapy for Anemia in Alpha- and Beta-Thalassemia (Start of January) ▼

Aqvesme (mitapivat) tablets are the first oral treatment approved for anemia in adults with alpha- or beta-thalassemia.
In the ENERGIZE-T study of transfusion-dependent thalassemia, 30% of Aqvesme-treated patients achieved >50% transfusion reduction versus 13% on placebo.
In the ENERGIZE study of non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia, 42% of Aqvesme recipients achieved ≥1 g/dL hemoglobin rise at Week 24 versus 2% on placebo.
Aqvesme-treated patients reported a mean 4.9-point improvement in FACIT-Fatigue score versus 1.5 points with placebo.
Aqvesme is available only through a REMS program due to observed liver toxicity risk.

Abu Dhabi administers UAE’s first CRISPR gene therapy CASGEVY for inherited blood disorders (Start of January) ▼

Abu Dhabi marked the first administration of a gene-therapy injection for inherited blood disorders in the UAE using CASGEVY.
CASGEVY employs CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to correct faulty DNA causing sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia.
The therapy was given at Yas Clinic – Khalifa City in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals under the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH).
The process involves extracting the patient’s stem cells, editing them with CRISPR-Cas9, and reinfusing the corrected cells to produce healthy blood cells.
The initial phase restricts treatment to Centers of Excellence like Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) before wider hospital rollout.

Silverpit Crater confirmed as 160-m asteroid strike beneath North Sea

[North Sea]

Key Updates:

On 11 March 2026 scientists confirmed the Silverpit Crater, 130 km off Yorkshire, is an asteroid impact site formed 43–46 million years ago.
Heriot-Watt University (HWU) led the study using high-resolution seismic scans and core samples that revealed shocked quartz and deformed feldspars.
Imperial College London (ICL) simulations matched the 3.2-km-wide crater to a 160-m asteroid hitting at >15 km/s and generating a >100-m tsunami.
The crater lies 700 m below the modern seafloor within a 20-km ring-fault system and is exceptionally preserved under marine sediments.

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NASA rules out 2024 YR4 asteroid impact on Moon in 2032 after James Webb Space Telescope data (Mid of March) ▼

NASA confirmed asteroid 2024 YR4 will miss the Moon on 22 December 2032, reducing collision risk from 4.3% to zero percent.
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) near-infrared camera provided refined trajectory showing a flyby distance of 13,200 miles.
Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) discovered 2024 YR4 in Chile during late 2024.
Asteroid 2024 YR4 measures roughly 200 feet in diameter, comparable to a 15-story building.
A lunar impact would have excavated a 1.2-mile-wide crater on the Moon's surface.

China's Zhurong Rover Discovers Ancient Shoreline Deposits on Mars (Start of March) ▼

China's Zhurong Mars rover, a component of the Tianwen-1 mission, has identified subsurface structures resembling sandy beach deposits on the planet.
The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), are based on ground-penetrating radar data from the Utopia Planitia region.
The Zhurong rover landed in Utopia Planitia in 2021, an area believed to have once contained the Deuteronilus Ocean.
The radar penetrated up to 80 metres below the surface, detecting layered sedimentary structures that slope upward, similar to coastal deposits on Earth.
The study suggests these formations were created by wave action during the Late Hesperian period, approximately 3.5 to 4 billion years ago.
The presence of these shoreline deposits indicates that Mars once possessed a thicker atmosphere and a warmer climate to maintain a stable liquid ocean.
India link not mentioned in the article.

Scientists use earthquake sensors to track falling space debris in real time (End of January) ▼

A study led by Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and Imperial College London (ICL) shows seismometers can trace re-entering space debris by detecting sonic-boom shock waves.
More than 120 seismic stations across California and Nevada recorded vibrations from the 1.5-metric-ton Shenzhou 15 orbital module re-entry on 2 April 2024.
Analysis revealed descent speeds between Mach 25 and Mach 30, altitudes of 80–150 km, and a shallow one-degree entry angle.
Seismic data indicated a cascading break-up lasting about two seconds, increasing chances that dense fragments reach Earth’s surface.
The technique, published in the journal Science, improves emergency response by locating debris within minutes rather than weeks.

NASA DART impact altered orbit of both Dimorphos and Didymos around Sun (Mid of March) ▼

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.

Thread-legged assassin bug Myiophanes kempi rediscovered in Andaman limestone caves after 100 years

[Andaman]

Key Updates:

The thread-legged assassin bug Myiophanes kempi was rediscovered in limestone caves in the Andaman Islands by scientists in 2019.
The species was first described by British entomologist William Edward China in 1924 from Siju Cave in Meghalaya.
The rediscovery was published in the journal Subterranean Biology.
The specimens were matched with a syntype female preserved in the Natural History Museum, London.
The bug belongs to the subfamily Reduviidae and is a specialised predator of the subterranean ecosystem.
The study was led by Manchi Shirish S., Principal Scientist at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON).
Co-authors included Dhanusha Kawalkar and Pooja Patil from SACON, and Hemant V. Ghate from Modern College, Pune.
The research was funded by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and The Habitats Trust.

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Rare marine amphipod Stenothoe lowryi discovered in Odisha (Start of March) ▼

Researchers from Berhampur University (BU) have discovered a rare shrimp-like marine amphipod species, Stenothoe lowryi, for the first time in Indian waters at Arjyapalli in Ganjam district, Odisha.
The species was previously recorded only in Malaysia and is distinguished by its large claws, a length of approximately 5.5 mm, and a preference for rocky environments.
The study was conducted using funds provided under the Mukhyamantri Research Innovation Extramural Programme (MRIEP) of the Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC) 2024-25.
The research findings, led by Assistant Professor Shesdev Patro, have been published in the latest edition of the Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.
The BU research team previously discovered the marine amphipod Grandidierella geetanjalae from Chilika lagoon in January last year and Parhyale odian from Chilika lake in November 2022.

2300-Year-Old Rock Paintings Protected Monument Lacks Basic Security (Mid of February) ▼

The Kumittipathi rock paintings in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, are estimated to be more than 2,300 years old.
The site was declared a protected archaeological monument under Section 3(1) of the Tamil Nadu Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1966 last year.
The paintings are located in two caves on Pathimalai hill under Thirumalayampalayam town panchayat near Madukkarai.
The lower cave displays an elephant and a chariot; the upper cave shows human-like figures.
No fencing, security guard, or information board has been installed so far despite official promises.
Locals report cooking fires, graffiti, and stone arrangements for meditation damaging the pigment.
District and revenue archaeology officials recently removed stones placed inside the caves.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) Discovers New Caecilian Species Gegeneophis valmiki in Maharashtra (End of January) ▼

A multi-institutional research team led by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has discovered a rare subterranean amphibian species named Gegeneophis valmiki.
The discovery was made in the northern Western Ghats on the Valmiki Plateau in the Satara district of Maharashtra.
The species belongs to the genus Gegeneophis, commonly known as blind caecilians, which live underground and have eyes hidden beneath bone.
The findings were published in the international journal Phyllomedusa based on specimens first collected in 2017 by K P Dinesh, a senior scientist at the ZSI.
The species is named after the Maharshi Valmiki Mandir located near the discovery site.
ZSI Director Dhriti Banerjee stated that 41 per cent of amphibians globally are currently threatened with extinction.

Two new moniligastrid earthworm species discovered in Silent Valley National Park (Start of March) ▼

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 reveal 17,000 topological patterns in entangled light using 48 dimensions

Key Updates:

Researchers from University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and Huzhou University mapped over 17,000 topological signatures across 48 dimensions in entangled light.
The study published in Nature Communications used spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) to generate entangled photons with orbital angular momentum (OAM).
Professor Andrew Forbes noted that only OAM, not OAM plus polarisation, was needed to create the topology.
The topological patterns act as a robust alphabet for quantum information, enhancing error resistance in quantum networks.

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Ultracold atoms drive India’s quantum leap in precision clocks and future quantum computers (Mid of January) ▼

Ultracold atoms sit at the heart of the quantum-technology revolution.
India has built a strong and steadily growing presence in cold and ultracold-atom research.
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Mumbai was the first laboratory in India to create a Bose–Einstein condensate.
Bose–Einstein Condensate is a state where billions of atoms act like a single “super-atom” with quantum effects visible on a macroscopic scale.
Laser cooling, awarded the 1997 Nobel Prize in Physics, uses light’s momentum to slow atoms to a few billionths of a degree above absolute zero.
Today’s best atomic clocks based on cold atoms would not lose even one second over the age of the universe.
Cold-atom gravity sensors can detect underground structures, monitor volcanoes, and test Einstein’s theory of gravity.
Ultracold atoms arranged by laser light form quantum simulators that mimic exotic solids, superconductors, or black-hole-like systems.
Cold atoms are being developed as building blocks for quantum computers to solve problems like molecular design and cryptography faster than classical machines.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) captures galaxy cluster MACS J1149.5+2223 (End of January) ▼

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured a detailed image of the massive galaxy cluster MACS J1149.5+2223.
The galaxy cluster is located approximately 5 billion light-years away from Earth in the constellation Leo.
The image demonstrates gravitational lensing, a phenomenon where the immense gravity of the cluster distorts light from background galaxies into arcs and elongated streaks.
MACS J1149.5+2223 contains over 300 verified galaxies and is identified as one of the largest gravitationally bound objects in the universe.
A lensed spiral galaxy within the cluster, resembling a pink jellyfish, previously hosted the most distant single star ever discovered and a supernova seen four times due to lensing.
The observations were conducted using the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam), Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec), and Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) instruments.
The study is part of the Canadian NIRISS Unbiased Cluster Survey (CANUCS) programme, which aims to investigate the first generations of galaxies and the era of reionisation.

Indian Army joins National Additive Manufacturing Symposium 2026 to advance defence indigenisation

Key Updates:

The Indian Army participated in the National Additive Manufacturing Symposium (NAMS) 2026 organised by the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing (NCAM) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) at SCOPE Convention Centre, New Delhi.
Lt Gen Rajiv Kumar Sahni, Director General of the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (DG EME), led the Indian Army delegation comprising Maj Gen Shivendra Kumar Bhattacharya and Maj Gen P S Bindra.
DG EME underlined additive manufacturing’s role in Combat Force Regeneration at the battlefield edge, rapid prototyping, and sustaining unmanned systems against emerging "Drone Tsunami".
Panel discussion titled "AM for Strategic Autonomy and Enhanced Combat Force Regeneration: Smart Manufacturing for Defence Applications" examined integration of additive manufacturing with digital twin frameworks, predictive maintenance, and data-enabled decision tools.
Discussions addressed decentralised production, forward-area manufacturing, supply-chain compression, lifecycle sustainment, and challenges of material qualification, certification protocols, interoperability, and cyber-physical security.
Industry experts presented metal additive manufacturing advances such as topology optimisation, lattice structures, and light-weighting for high-performance defence platforms.
Academia, represented by IIT Delhi and 3D Graphy, focused on quality assurance, standardisation, non-destructive evaluation, in-situ monitoring, and simulation-driven digital twins for certified outputs.

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Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) dismantles darknet drug syndicate Team Kalki using cryptocurrency (Start of March) ▼

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) dismantled a nationwide darknet-based drug trafficking network operating under the name Team Kalki.
The syndicate utilized the dark web forum Dread and the encrypted messaging application Session to coordinate synthetic drug deliveries across India.
Seized narcotics included 2,338 LSD blotters, 160 MDMA pills (77.5 grams), 73.6 grams of charas, 3.6 grams of amphetamine, and 3.6 kg of liquid MDMA.
The network employed a cryptocurrency-based payment system involving unhosted wallets and privacy coins such as Monero and USDT (Tether).
Funds were routed through intermediary wallets and cold storage accounts, with proceeds laundered through mule Know Your Customer (KYC)-compliant wallets into bank accounts.
The NCB traced drug consignments to several states including Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, and Karnataka.
The syndicate sourced LSD and MDMA from darknet vendors located in the Netherlands, Poland, and Germany.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) sanctions ₹99.15 lakh to Bharathiar University (BU) for chemical defence project (Start of March) ▼

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Union Ministry of Defence has sanctioned ₹99.15 lakh to Bharathiar University (BU) for a major chemical defence project.
The project is titled Development of Novel Antidote(s) for Highly Toxic Organophosphorous Compounds.
The research will be conducted under the DRDO Industry Academia – Centre of Excellence (DIA–CoE) at BU in Coimbatore.
The initiative aims to enhance India’s preparedness in dealing with toxic chemical exposure and strengthen national chemical defence capabilities.

Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi reappointed as Drugs Controller (India) at Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) (Start of March) ▼

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved his reappointment on a contractual basis for one year from 1 March 2026.
The proposal for re-employment was moved by the Department of Health and Family Welfare.
He heads the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) which regulates drug quality, approves new drugs and oversees clinical trials.
Dr Raghuvanshi earlier served as secretary-cum-scientific director of the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) from 16 February 2021.

NCORD Apex-Level Meeting Approves 3-Year Nationwide Anti-Drug Campaign (Mid of January) ▼

Union home minister Amit Shah chaired the ninth apex-level meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) in New Delhi.
A nationwide campaign against drugs will be launched from March 31, 2026, for a period of three years.
All central government departments must prepare a roadmap up to 2029 with a monitoring mechanism to address the drug problem comprehensively.

Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) hosts Demo Day for Cohort-II of Samarth Incubation Program

[Centre for Development of Telematics]

Key Updates:

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), an autonomous R&D institution under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), hosted the Demo Day for Cohort-II of the Samarth Incubation Program in New Delhi.
Launched in March 2025, the Samarth program supports up to 36 startups across two cohorts in areas such as 5G/6G technologies, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and quantum technologies.
Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) serve as the implementation partners for this telecom and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector incubation initiative.
Selected startups are provided with a financial grant of ₹5 lakh, fully furnished office space, and access to C-DOT lab facilities at its Delhi and Bengaluru campuses.
The five startups selected for the Stage-II grant under Cohort-II are Huebits Tech Private Limited, Khageshvara Aviation Technology Private Limited, Xpectro Solutions (OPC) Private Limited, Zepto Logic Technologies Private Limited, and Vocbot.Ai Technology Private Limited.
Startups progressing through the program qualify for additional financial support and potential partnerships through the C-DOT Collaborative Research Program (CCRP).

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Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia leads India’s engagements at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona (Start of March) ▼

Mobile World Congress 2026 is being held from March 2–5, 2026 at Fira Barcelona Gran Via in Barcelona, Spain.
Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia delivered the Closing Keynote at the GSMA Ministerial Programme session themed 'Breaking the Cost Barrier'.
He addressed the MWC Main Stage keynote session titled 'Built for What’s Next'.
The Bharat Pavilion was inaugurated by the Minister, with 40 Indian companies showcasing telecom solutions.
India Mobile Congress 2026 was announced to be held from 7th–10th October 2026 in New Delhi.
Tejas Networks launched the TJ1600-D3 Hyper-scalable DCI Platform engineered in India.
Shri Scindia met ITU Secretary General Ms Doreen Bogdan-Martin during the visit.
Bilateral meetings were held with Eutelsat and Viasat to advance connectivity frameworks for India.
Interactions took place with Bharti Group led by Sunil Bharti Mittal.
Demonstrations were witnessed at booths of Meta, Rakuten, VVDN Technologies, Ericsson, Nokia, Intel, Cisco and Qualcomm.
MWC 2026 is organised by GSMA and themed 'The IQ Era'.
India’s participation is organised by Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC), supported by Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India.

IIT Kharagpur and Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) Sign MoU for Telecom Research and Innovation (End of February) ▼

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) to collaborate on telecom research, standardisation, and innovation.
The agreement aims to align academic research with national priorities in the telecom and information and communication technology (ICT) sectors.
The two institutions will jointly work on developing standards and conducting research for next-generation telecom technologies, including 5G and future networks.
The collaboration will focus on advanced antenna systems and Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) technologies to support 5G and future wireless networks.
The partnership involves work on Passive Optical Network (PON) technologies, including standardising network design, improving deployment models, and evaluating performance.
The entities will develop electromagnetic field (EMF) monitoring systems and smart Internet of Things (IoT) solutions using AI-based sensor platforms to improve safety standards.
TEC serves as India's national body for telecom standards and represents the country at global forums such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) recognised at Mobile World Congress 2026 for indigenous AI-driven fraud detection solution. (Mid of March) ▼

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) received global recognition at the Mobile World Congress 2026 held in Barcelona, Spain.
C-DOT’s indigenous AI-driven fraud detection solution, Fraud Pro, made it a top finalist at the Global Mobile Awards in the category of Best Network Security and Fraud Prevention.
The Ministry of Communications stated that the recognition marks India’s growing role in shaping next-generation telecom technologies.
The Ministry added that the global acknowledgement highlights India’s capability to develop advanced cybersecurity and fraud prevention solutions for large-scale digital networks.

C-DOT wins IEEE SA Corporate Award 2025 (Mid of December) ▼

C-DOT has become the first organisation from India to receive the IEEE SA Corporate Award.
It is only the fifth organisation globally to be honoured by the 140-year-old IEEE.
The award recognises C-DOT’s contributions to advancing IEEE standards in wireless broadband, rural 5G, telecom education and in building globally recognised, standards-based innovation frameworks from India.

New ‘Farmer-Friendly’ Wasp Chelonus mahadevi Discovered in Assam

[Assam]

Key Updates:

Scientists have discovered a new species of tiny wasp named Chelonus mahadevi in Assam.
The wasp is an egg-larval parasitoid that lays its eggs inside the eggs of harmful crop-eating insects, killing the pest from within.
It acts as a natural bio-pesticide, helping tea farmers control pests without using chemical pesticides.
The discovery supports sustainable agriculture and aligns with SDG 2 (Sustainable Agriculture) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Chelonus mahadevi is currently listed under the Not Evaluated (NE) category of the IUCN Red List.

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New plant species Osbeckia zubeengargiana discovered in Assam named after Zubeen Garg (Mid of March) ▼

The new plant species Osbeckia zubeengargiana was discovered in Assam.
Researchers Barnali Das and Prof. Namita Nath from the Botany Department of Gauhati University described the species.
The species has been named after Assamese singer Zubeen Garg.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovers two new lichen moth species in eastern Himalayas (Mid of March) ▼

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.

New trapdoor spider species Titanidiops kolhapurensis discovered in Maharashtra (Start of February) ▼

A new species of trapdoor spider, named Titanidiops kolhapurensis, has been discovered in the grasslands of Kolhapur district, Maharashtra.
The discovery was made by a joint research team from the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation and Shivaji University, Kolhapur (SUK).
The findings were published in the Journal of Natural History, an international research publication based in the United Kingdom (UK).
The spider is nicknamed darkari koli in Marathi because of its unique ability to craft hinged doors for its burrows.
The species was classified under the Titanidiops genus based on its specific tooth structure and the arrangement of its eight eyes.
The spider has been recorded in specific locations including the SUK campus, Shenda Park, Kolhapur Chitranagari area, and Puikhadi hill.
Researchers found the species is absent in areas overtaken by exotic tree plantations such as Gliricidia sepium, commonly known as Undirmari.
The research team included Satpal Gangalmale, Sunil Gaikwad, Tejas Thackeray, and Akshay Khandekar.

ICAR-Directorate of Floricultural Research (ICAR-DFR) Pune discovers new blossom midge pest Contarinia icardiflores damaging jasmine crops in India. (End of February) ▼

Scientists at ICAR-Directorate of Floricultural Research (ICAR-DFR), Pune, discovered Contarinia icardiflores, a new species of blossom midge.
The pest was found causing significant economic losses in jasmine cultivation in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
Contarinia icardiflores is about 1.5 to 2 mm in size and completes its life cycle in 16 to 21 days.
The species is named in honour of ICAR-DFR to recognise the institute’s contributions to floriculture research.
Although C. icardiflores closely resembles C. maculipennis, the only other midge known to attack jasmine, it is genetically distinct.

Purple Fest held at Rashtrapati Bhavan to celebrate Divyangjan

Key Updates:

Purple Fest was organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), Government of India.
Over 8,000 Divyangjan visited Amrit Udyan which was opened exclusively for them during the day-long celebration.
President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu witnessed cultural performances by Divyangjan at the Open Air Theatre in the President’s Estate.
The President stated that the Constitution of India’s Preamble establishes ideals of social justice, equality of status and dignity of the individual, and Directive Principles grant Divyangjan the right to education, work and public assistance.

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Goonj 2026 Youth Festival inaugurated at University of Jammu (Start of March) ▼

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the two-day Goonj 2026 Youth Festival hosted by University of Jammu.
The festival aims to offer a distinctive platform to youth from diverse disciplines to create one future.
During the event, the Lieutenant Governor launched the podcast 'JU Vaachan' initiated by the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, Jammu University.
Padma Shri awardees Dr Jitendra Udhampuri, Dr SP Varma and Romalo Ram attended the inaugural ceremony.

Darjeeling Hill Festival showcasing tribal heritage inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu. (Start of March) ▼

President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the Darjeeling Hill Festival at the Durbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan in Darjeeling, now renamed Lok Bhavan.
The festival is curated by experts from the Indian Museum and involves Indian Museum, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), Victoria Memorial Hall, Maulana Abul Kalam Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), Asiatic Society, universities, public institutions, and non-governmental organisations.
Governor C V Ananda Bose, chairman of the board of trustees at the Indian Museum, conceived the festival.
The exhibition titled ‘Roots and Rhythm’ will display rare artefacts from Indian Museum’s ethnographic collections representing tribal communities across North-East hills, Central India forests, Eastern India, southern highlands, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Indian Museum director Sayan Bhattacharya stated that objects include Adi cane helmets, Naga warrior sculptures, Santhal jewellery, Kondh Dokra effigies, Toda embroidered textiles, and Onge wooden vessels.
A Tribal Art Camp for Darjeeling school students will be organised by Indian Museum, Kolkata to engage youth with indigenous art traditions.

National Chintan Shivir concluded at Nalanda University, Rajgir, Bihar (End of February) ▼

The two-day National Chintan Shivir was organised by the Ministry of Minority Affairs at Nalanda University in Rajgir, Bihar.
Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the NIGRANI App, Haj Wrist Band and AI Chatbots during the event.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PMVIKAS), National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC), UMEED Central Portal and Haj modernisation were showcased as key minority welfare initiatives.
Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian described PMJVK as a transformative scheme for infrastructure development in minority concentration areas.
Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Chandra Shekhar Kumar, acknowledged the support of the Bihar Government and Nalanda University officials for hosting the Shivir.
State Ministers Imkong Mar (Nagaland), Kento Jini (Arunachal Pradesh), Samdup Lepcha (Sikkim) and Sukla Charan Noatia (Tripura) shared regional perspectives on minority welfare schemes.
The Chintan Shivir focused on five thematic areas: Infrastructure Development (PMJVK), Socio-economic Empowerment (PMVIKAS + NMDFC), Waqf Management, Haj Management and Scholarship Schemes.

Republic Day Parade 2026 winners announced for Best Tableaux and Popular Choice (End of January) ▼

Indian Navy was adjudged Best Marching Contingent among the three Services.
Delhi Police was adjudged Best Marching Contingent among CAPFs/other auxiliary forces.
Maharashtra's tableau ‘Ganeshotsav: A Symbol of Aatmanirbharta’ was adjudged Best Tableau among States/UTs.
Jammu & Kashmir's tableau ‘Handicrafts and Folk Dances of Jammu & Kashmir’ was adjudged Best Tableau among States/UTs.
Kerala's tableau ‘Water Metro & 100% Digital Literacy: Aatmanirbhar Kerala for Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ was adjudged Best Tableau among States/UTs.
Ministry of Culture’s tableau ‘Vande Mataram – The Soul Cry of a Nation’ was adjudged Best Tableau among Central Ministries/Departments.
Central Public Works Department (CPWD) tableau ‘Vande Mataram – Commemoration of 150 Years’ received a Special Prize.
‘Vande Mataram: The Eternal Resonance of India’ Dance Group received a Special Prize.
Assam Regiment was adjudged Best Marching Contingent among the three Services in the Popular Choice category.
CRPF was adjudged Best Marching Contingent among CAPFs/other auxiliary forces in the Popular Choice category.
Gujarat's tableau ‘Mantra of Swadeshi – Self-Reliance – Freedom: Vande Mataram’ topped the Popular Choice category on MyGov portal.
Uttar Pradesh's tableau ‘Culture of Bundelkhand’ ranked among the top three in the Popular Choice category on MyGov portal.
Rajasthan's tableau ‘Golden Touch of the Desert: Bikaner Gold Art (Usta Art)’ ranked among the top three in the Popular Choice category on MyGov portal.
Department of School Education & Literacy’s tableau ‘National Education Policy 2020: Rocketing Indian School Education on the Path to Viksit Bharat’ was adjudged Best Tableau among Central Ministries/Departments in the Popular Choice category.

98th Academy Awards (Oscars) ceremony on March 15, 2026

Key Updates:

The 98th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Conan O'Brien will host the Oscars ceremony for the second consecutive year.
Nominations for the 2026 Oscars were announced live in Los Angeles by actress Danielle Brooks and actor Lewis Pullman.
Ten films are nominated for Best Picture: Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sinners, and Train Dreams.

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Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny Win Top Honours at 68th Grammy Awards (Start of February) ▼

The 68th Grammy Awards took place in Los Angeles, where Kendrick Lamar emerged as the biggest winner with five awards, including Record of the Year for Luther and Best Rap Album for GNX.
Bad Bunny won the Album of the Year award for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, making history as the first Puerto Rican star to win the category, and also secured Best Música Urbana Album.
Billie Eilish won Song of the Year for Wildflower, while Olivia Dean was named Best New Artist.
Lady Gaga secured Best Pop Vocal Album for Mayhem and Best Dance/Pop Recording for Abracadabra, while Lola Young won Best Pop Solo Performance for Messy.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for Defying Gravity, and Tame Impala won Best Dance/Electronic Recording for End Of Summer.
FKA Twigs won Best Dance/Electronic Album for Eusexua, and Laufey won Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for A Matter Of Time.
Natalia Lafourcade won Best Latin Pop Album for Cancionera, and Yungblud won Best Rock Performance for Changes (Live From Villa Park).
Nine Inch Nails won Best Rock Song for As Alive As You Need Me To Be, and Turnstile won Best Rock Album for Never Enough and Best Metal Performance for Birds.
The Cure won Best Alternative Music Album for Songs Of A Lost World and Best Alternative Music Performance for Alone.
Clipse, Pusha T, and Malice won Best Rap Performance for Chains & Whips, while Kendrick Lamar also won Best Melodic Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for TV Off.
Chris Stapleton won Best Country Solo Performance for Bad As I Used To Be, and Tyler Childers won Best Country Song for Bitin' List.
Kehlani won Best Rhythm and Blues (R&B) Performance and Best R&B Song for Folded, and Leon Thomas won Best R&B Album for Mutt.
Tyla won Best African Music Performance for Push 2 Start, and music legend Fela Kuti became the first African to receive the Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Dalai Lama won the Best Audiobook Narration award for Meditations: The Reflections Of His Holiness The Dalai Lama.
Ludwig Göransson won Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media for Sinners, and Austin Wintory won Best Video Game Score for Sword of the Sea.
Huntr/x won Best Song Written for Visual Media for Golden (From Korean Pop (K-Pop) Demon Hunters), and Doechii won Best Music Video for Anxiety.
John Williams won Best Music Film for Music by John Williams, and Samara Joy won Best Jazz Vocal Album for Portrait.
Sullivan Fortner won Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Nate Smith won Best Alternative Jazz Album, and Chick Corea won Best Jazz Performance for Windows (Live).
Kwamé Ryan and the Houston Grand Opera won Best Opera Recording for Heggie: Intelligence, and Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra won Best Orchestral Performance.
Cirkut was named Producer of the Year (Non-Classical), and Amy Allen was named Songwriter of the Year (Non-Classical).
The various artists compilation for Sinners won Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, and Nate Bargatze won Best Comedy Album.

79th British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards held on 22 February 2026 (End of February) ▼

The 79th British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards ceremony took place on 22 February 2026 at the Royal Festival Hall within London's Southbank Centre.
Paul Thomas Anderson's film 'One Battle After Another' won six BAFTA awards: Best Film, Director, Cinematography, Editing, Supporting Actor (Sean Penn), and Adapted Screenplay.
British actor Robert Aramayo won the Leading Actor award for 'I Swear', beating Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Ethan Hawke, and Michael B. Jordan.
Jessie Buckley became the first Irish performer to win the BAFTA Best Actress award for her role as Agnes Hathaway in 'Hamnet'.
Ryan Coogler became the first Black winner of the BAFTA Original Screenplay award for 'Sinners'.
Farhan Akhtar-backed Manipuri film 'Boong' won the BAFTA Award for Best Children's & Family Film.
Donna Langley, UK-born chairwoman of NBCUniversal Entertainment, received the BAFTA Fellowship, presented by Prince William.

The Oscars to stream on YouTube starting in 2029 (Mid of December) ▼

The Academy Awards will begin streaming exclusively on YouTube in 2029, the latest big change in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement, saying that it signed a multi-year deal that will give YouTube the exclusive global rights to the Oscars until 2033.
The Oscars, which is planned for 15 March, has aired for a half a century on ABC.
ABC, which has streamed the awards since 1976, said that it was looking forward 'to the next three telecasts' it will still host.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor said in a statement that the partnership will expand access to the work of the Academy to a worldwide audience.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan called the Oscars 'one of our essential cultural institutions' and stated the partnership would inspire a new generation of film lovers.
Over decades, viewership of the awards show has declined, though there was a slight uptick in 2025, with a significant number of younger viewers tuning in from cell phones and computers.
Warner Bros Discovery on Wednesday recommended its shareholders reject a hostile takeover bid from Paramount Skydance for a rival bid from streaming giant Netflix.

Critics Choice Awards 2026 held on January 5 (Start of January) ▼

The Critics Choice Awards 2026 were held on January 5, inaugurating this year’s awards season in Hollywood.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s film 'One Battle After Another' won Best Picture and Best Director.
Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor for 'Marty Supreme' and Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for 'Hamnet'.

Tamil poet Vairamuthu named 2025 Jnanpith Award winner

Key Updates:

Vairamuthu has been conferred the 60th Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary honour, announced by Bharatiya Jnanpith on Saturday.
He becomes the third Tamil writer to receive the Jnanpith Award after Akilan and Jayakanthan.
The Jnanpith Selection Committee chaired by Pratibha Ray selected Vairamuthu for his originality, creative depth and distinct poetic voice.
Vairamuthu has authored over 37 books including poetry collections, novels and travel writings such as Kallikattu Ithikasam, Karuvachi Kaviyam, Thanni Desam and Moondraam Ulaga Por.
He has won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics seven times.
Vairamuthu received the Padma Shri in 2003 and the Padma Bhushan in 2014.
He won the Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel Kallikattu Ithikasam.
The Jnanpith Award carries a cash prize of ₹11 lakh, a bronze statuette of Goddess Saraswati and a citation.

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Sudhir Kumar and 11 Jharkhand Police Personnel Awarded President's Medals (End of January) ▼

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) on the eve of Republic Day 2026.
Sudhir Kumar, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) from Jharkhand Jaguar (JJ), was awarded the PSM in recognition of his outstanding 25-year career in police service.
Eleven personnel from Jharkhand were honoured with the MSM, an award designated for completing 18 years of outstanding service.
The MSM recipients include Inspector General (IG) Anup Birtharay (JJ), IG Patel Mayur Kanhaiyyalal (Provisions), and DSP Sanjay Kumar of Jharkhand Armed Police (JAP)-1.
Havildars Krishna Kumar Khetri (JAP-I), Marcus Sunwar (JAP-I), and Arun Kumar Ojha (JJ) were also named as recipients of the MSM.
The list of MSM awardees includes Constable Jaidev Pradhan (JAP-I), Women Constables Janet Margret Lakra and Kumudini Kujur (JAP-10), and Constables Sufal Odeya and G Wasim Akhtar (JJ).

President approves gallantry and service medals for Indian Coast Guard personnel on 77th Republic Day (End of January) ▼

President of India approved Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for ADG Donny Michael, PTM, TM.
DIG KS Sitaram received the Vishisht Seva Medal.
P/Nvk ME Saumyaranjan Behera was awarded the Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak.
IG Iqbal Singh Chauhan and IG Datwinder Singh Saini received the President's Tatrakshak Medal for Distinguished Service.
Late Comdt Rakesh Kumar Rana, Late Comdt JG Vipin Babu and Late P/Nvk RP Karan Singh were posthumously conferred the Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry).
Comdt JG Shailendra Singh Bisht, P/Nvk RP Gautam Yadav and P/Nvk RP Banti Kumar received the Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry).
Tatrakshak Medal (Meritorious Service) was awarded to DIG Vinod Kumar Parmar, DIG Arun Kumar Bhardwaj, DIG Sudhakar Patil, Comdt Indu P and Adh RO Tapas Kumar Banerjee.

President Droupadi Murmu announced gallantry medals for 70 Armed Forces and security personnel. (End of January) ▼

President Droupadi Murmu announced 70 gallantry medals on the eve of the 77th Republic Day 2026.
The awards include one Ashok Chakra, three Kirti Chakras, 13 Shaurya Chakras, one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry), six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (Air Force) received the Ashok Chakra.
Major Arshdeep Singh (Army), Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba (Army) and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (Air Force) were awarded the Kirti Chakra.
Six of the 70 gallantry awards were given posthumously.

President Droupadi Murmu conferred Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2025 on 30 individuals. (End of January) ▼

President Droupadi Murmu approved the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak for six persons.
Six persons received the Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak.
Eighteen persons were awarded the Jeevan Raksha Padak.
Six of the 30 awardees are being honoured posthumously.
The awards recognise meritorious acts of human nature in saving a life.

Pi Day observed globally on March 14

Key Updates:

Pi Day is celebrated annually on March 14 to honour the mathematical constant Pi (π) and the birth of physicist Albert Einstein.
Pi represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, which is approximately 3.14 regardless of the circle's size.
The first Pi Day was celebrated in 1988 by physicist Larry Shaw at the Exploratorium in San Francisco.
The United States House of Representatives officially recognized March 14 as Pi Day in 2009.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared March 14 as the International Day of Mathematics in 2019.
The symbol π was popularized by mathematician Leonhard Euler in 1737, while the first known calculations were made by the ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) traditionally releases undergraduate admission decisions on Pi Day at 6:28 p.m. Eastern Time, a reference to Tau Time.
Buffon’s Needle is a probability experiment devised by French mathematician Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, to estimate the value of Pi.

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

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.

National Mathematics Day observed on December 22 (End of December) ▼

National Mathematics Day is observed every year on December 22 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan.
The observance was formally instituted by the Government of India in December 2011.
December 22 was designated as National Mathematics Day in recognition of Ramanujan’s extraordinary contributions to the discipline.

Data Privacy Day observed on January 28 (End of January) ▼

Data Privacy Day is observed on January 28 every year.
India notified the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules ahead of Data Privacy Day 2026.
The DPDP Rules aim to strengthen digital privacy governance as nearly a billion Indians use online services.

World Understanding and Peace Day observed on February 23 (End of February) ▼

World Understanding and Peace Day is observed annually on February 23 to commemorate the founding of Rotary International (RI).
The first Rotary Club meeting was held on February 23, 1905, in Chicago by Paul Harris, Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, and Hiram Shorey.
The 59th World Day of Peace, celebrated by the Vatican on January 1, 2026, features the theme Peace be with you all: Towards an unarmed and disarming peace.
RI selects 75 scholars annually for the Rotary Peace and Conflict Resolution Program to study peacebuilding and diplomacy at Rotary Peace Centers.
The six major humanitarian focus areas of RI include disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, economic and community development, and peace and conflict prevention/resolution.

International Mathematics Day 2026: Theme ‘Mathematics and Hope’

Key Updates:

International Mathematics Day is celebrated every year on March 14.
The day was officially proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) during its 40th General Conference in November 2019.
The first official celebration took place in March 2020 under the theme 'Mathematics is Everywhere'.
The theme for International Mathematics Day 2026 is 'Mathematics and Hope'.
March 14 coincides with Pi Day, reflecting the approximate value of pi as 3.14.

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National Mathematics Day observed on December 22 (End of December) ▼

National Mathematics Day is observed every year on December 22 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan.
The observance was formally instituted by the Government of India in December 2011.
December 22 was designated as National Mathematics Day in recognition of Ramanujan’s extraordinary contributions to the discipline.

International Women's Day 2026 observed on March 8 with theme 'Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls' (Start of March) ▼

International Women's Day 2026 is observed globally on March 8.
The United Nations (UN) announced the 2026 theme as 'Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls'.
The UN officially recognised International Women's Day in 1975.

International Day of Education observed on January 24 with theme The power of youth in co-creating education (End of January) ▼

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) will celebrate the International Day of Education 2026 on Saturday, January 24, 2026.
The theme for the International Day of Education 2026 is The power of youth in co-creating education.
UNESCO will host key activities and hybrid events for the observance at its headquarters in Paris, France.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution 73/25 on December 3, 2018, proclaiming January 24 as the International Day of Education.
The first observance of the International Day of Education took place on January 24, 2019.
The day aims to promote Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all.
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore is the only Indian institute to feature in the global top 100 of the Times Higher Education (THE) Subject Rankings 2026.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is conducting a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union Territories (UTs) as part of its 2025 achievements.

Dr. S. Jaishankar, Prof. Jeffrey Ullman, Prof. Subra Suresh, Dr. Vidita Vaidya to deliver Spotlight Lectures at IIT Madras Shaastra 2026 (End of December) ▼

Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India, will deliver a Spotlight Lecture at Shaastra 2026 organised by Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).
Prof. Jeffrey Ullman, Turing Award recipient, will deliver a Spotlight Lecture at Shaastra 2026 organised by IIT Madras.
Prof. Subra Suresh, former Director of the US National Science Foundation, will deliver a Spotlight Lecture at Shaastra 2026 organised by IIT Madras.
Dr. Vidita Vaidya, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize awardee, will deliver a Spotlight Lecture at Shaastra 2026 organised by IIT Madras.