📰 Daily Briefing Tuesday, Mar 17

Daily Current Affairs: 17 March 2026

Analysis for 17 March 2026

Shantanu Narayen to step down as CEO of Adobe after successor appointed.

[Adobe Inc.]

Key Updates:

  • Shantanu Narayen has served as CEO of Adobe since 1 December 2007 and will remain chair of the board after stepping down.
  • Adobe announced on 12 March 2026 that Narayen will continue as CEO until a successor is named by the board.
  • The board has formed a special committee chaired by lead independent director Frank Calderoni to conduct the CEO search.
  • Narayen joined Adobe in 1998, became president and COO in 2005, and led the company’s shift from software licences to Creative Cloud subscriptions.
  • Adobe shares fell about 6% in extended trading after the leadership transition announcement despite Q1 FY2026 earnings of $6.06 per share and revenue of $6.40 billion.
  • Narayen was born in Hyderabad, India on 27 May 1963 and holds a master’s in computer science from Bowling Green State University and an MBA from UC Berkeley.
  • His total compensation for fiscal 2025 was about $51 million and he also serves as lead independent director at Pfizer.

Similar Coverage

Sameer Kanodia won CEO of the Year® Award for second consecutive year. (End of February) ▼
  • Sameer Kanodia is the Managing Director and CEO of Lumina Datamatics.
  • He received the CEO of the Year® Award at Taj Lands' End, Mumbai.
  • The award is part of The Business Leader of the Year®.
  • Lumina Datamatics also holds the Great Place to Work Award®.
Deepinder Goyal resigned as Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eternal (End of January) ▼
  • Deepinder Goyal resigned from his position as the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eternal, the company that operates Zomato and Blinkit.
  • Albinder Dhindsa was appointed as the new Group CEO of Eternal, succeeding Deepinder Goyal.
  • Deepinder Goyal will transition to the role of Vice Chairman of the board of directors at Eternal, subject to shareholder approval.
  • Albinder Dhindsa previously served as the leader of Blinkit and oversaw its journey from acquisition to breakeven.
  • Deepinder Goyal’s unvested Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) will be returned to the company's ESOP pool as part of the leadership transition.
  • Deepinder Goyal stated that his decision to step down was driven by a desire to pursue high-risk exploration and experimentation outside of a public company framework.
Thierry Sabbagh appointed Divisional Vice-President and President for Middle East, KSA, CIS and India at Nissan (Mid of January) ▼
  • Thierry Sabbagh’s responsibilities were expanded to include Nissan India effective January 1, 2026.
  • He will serve as Divisional Vice-President and President, Middle East, KSA, CIS and India – Nissan and Infiniti.
  • Leon Dorssers, Senior Vice President and Chief of Commercial Operations, Nissan AMIEO, is leaving the company.
Suresh Goyal appointed as Director General of National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) (Mid of December) ▼
  • Suresh Goyal will take over as the director general of the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) on January 5, 2026.
  • He succeeds Poonam Gupta, who led the organisation from July 2021 to April 2025.
  • Goyal joins NCAER after serving as the Managing Director and CEO of the National Highway Infra Trust (NHIT).

Dr Partha Sarathi Mahanta wins Best Director at New York Short Animation Festival (NYSAF) 2026.

[United States]

Key Updates:

  • Dr Partha Sarathi Mahanta, IGP of Assam Police and Commissioner of Police, Guwahati, directed the animated short film 'CHYIMI'.
  • 'CHYIMI' received the Best Director Award at the New York Short Animation Festival (NYSAF) 2026.
  • NYSAF 2026 is partnered with Cine Universitario UACJ in Mexico for additional screenings of selected films.
  • The festival recognises outstanding animated storytelling and provides a global platform for filmmakers.

Similar Coverage

Park Chan-wook named president of jury for 79th Cannes Film Festival. (End of February) ▼
  • South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook will preside over the 79th Cannes Film Festival scheduled for 12-23 May 2026.
  • He becomes the first Korean and the third Asian to serve as Cannes jury president, after Japan’s Tetsurō Furukaki in 1962 and Hong Kong’s Wong Kar-wai in 2006.
  • Park has premiered four films in Competition at Cannes: Oldboy (2004), Thirst (2009), The Handmaiden (2016), and Decision to Leave (2022).
  • His Cannes accolades include the Grand Jury Prize for Oldboy, the Jury Prize for Thirst, and Best Director for Decision to Leave.
  • Festival President Iris Knobloch and Director Thierry Frémaux praised his inventiveness and visual mastery in the announcement.
Amol Palekar to be Honoured with Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) Lifetime Achievement Award 2026 (Mid of March) ▼
  • Veteran actor and filmmaker Amol Palekar will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 21st edition of META in New Delhi.
  • The 21st edition of the festival, instituted by the Mahindra Group and produced by Teamwork Arts, will be held from 19 March to 25 March 2026.
  • The jury panel for the 2026 awards includes Amal Allana, Anuradha Kapur, Rajit Kapur, Satish Alekar, and Ila Arun.
  • The festival received a record 422 submissions from over 20 states and 100 cities, featuring productions in nearly 60 languages and dialects.
  • Ten productions have been shortlisted to compete in 13 categories at venues including Kamani Auditorium and Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts.
  • The competitive categories include Best Production, Best Director, Best Stage Design, Best Light Design, Best Sound & Music Design, Best Costume Design, Best Actor in a Lead Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Original Script, Best Ensemble, and Best Choreographer.
  • Amol Palekar is recognised for his work in Hindi cinema during the 1970s, including films such as Chhoti Si Baat, Chitchor, Bhumika, Baaton Baaton Mein, and Gol Maal.
  • He is also noted for expanding the reach of theatre by performing in alternative spaces such as parks, terraces, canteens, and garages.
Chiranjeevi Received NTR National Film Award at Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2025 (Start of March) ▼
  • Megastar Chiranjeevi was conferred with the NTR National Film Award at the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2025.
  • The award was presented by the Government of Telangana, with the actor acknowledging Chief Minister (CM) Revanth Anumula and Bhatti Mallu.
  • The NTR National Film Award is named in honour of the legendary Telugu cinema figure, N. T. Rama Rao (NTR).
  • Chiranjeevi was previously honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2006 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2024.
  • Other major winners at the ceremony included Naga Chaitanya, who was named Best Actor, and Rashmika Mandanna, who was named Best Actress.
  • The actor's recent work includes the hit film Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, and his upcoming projects include the socio-fantasy film Vishwambhara and a project with director Srikanth Odela.
Suriya, Dhanush, and Nayanthara Win Tamil Nadu State Film Awards (End of January) ▼
  • The Tamil Nadu government announced the winners of the State Film Awards for the years 2016 to 2022, honouring excellence across 32 categories for actors, filmmakers, and technicians.
  • Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin will present the awards on February 13, 2026, at the Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai.
  • The Best Film (First Prize) winners for the period 2016-2022 are Maanagaram, Aramm, Pariyerum Perumal, Asuran, Koozhangal, Jai Bhim, and Gargi.
  • Best Actor awardees for the seven-year period include Vijay Sethupathi, Karthi, Dhanush, R. Parthiban, Suriya, Arya, and Vikram Prabhu.
  • Best Actress awardees for the period 2016-2022 are Keerthy Suresh, Nayanthara, Jyothika, Manju Warrier, Aparna Balamurali, Lijomol Jose, and Sai Pallavi.
  • Best Director winners include Lokesh Kanagaraj, Pushkar-Gayathri, Mari Selvaraj, R. Parthiban, Sudha Kongara, T.J. Gnanavel, and Gautham Ramachandran.
  • Best Music Director awards were conferred upon Sam C.S., Hip Hop Tamizha, Santhosh Narayanan, Thaman, G.V. Prakash Kumar, Sean Roldan, and A.R. Rahman.
  • Best Supporting Actor winners include R. Parthiban, Bose Venkat (twice), Ameer, Prakash Raj, Karunas, and K. Manikandan.
  • Best Supporting Actress winners include Manisha Yadav, Sunu Lakshmi, Viji Chandrasekhar, Sriranjani, Vadivukkarasi, Raichal Rebecca, and Vasundara Kashyap.
  • Television (TV) serial first prize winners from 2014 to 2022 include Azhagi, Romapuri Pandian, Ramanujar, Nandhini, Poove Poochudava, Sembaruthi, Raasathi, Sundari, and Ethir Neechal.
  • Documentary awardees for the Tamil Nadu Government M.G.R. Film and Television Institute include P. Ram Kumar, S. Kannan, A.K. Kranthi, S. Varun Subbiah, S. Karunakaran, and R. Giridharan.

Deben Mondal passes away at Jalpaiguri Medical College and Hospital

[Jalpaiguri Medical College and Hospital]

Key Updates:

  • Deben Mondal, a 48-year-old inmate of the Jalpaiguri Central Correctional Home (JCCH), passed away on March 6, 2026, at the Jalpaiguri Medical College and Hospital.
  • Asim Halder serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) of Jalpaiguri, West Bengal.
  • Biswarup Biswas holds the position of Superintendent at the JCCH.
  • Dr. Subarna Goswami is a public health expert and epidemiologist who provided analysis on the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) outbreak.

Similar Coverage

Saba Shawl became first Kashmiri woman to head Central Jail Srinagar. (Start of March) ▼
  • Saba Shawl was appointed Superintendent of Central Jail Srinagar through Government Order No. 145 Home of 2026 dated March 2, 2026.
  • She was transferred from her previous role as Staff Officer to the Director General Prisons, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
  • Shawl cleared the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) examination in 2012 for the post of Superintendent of Police (Prisons).
  • She holds a master’s degree in social work and earlier worked with the Indo Global Social Service Society.
  • She had served at Central Jail Kothbalwal in Jammu and Kupwara Jail before her current posting.
Meghalaya launches probe into suspected meningococcal cases after two Agniveer trainees die (Start of March) ▼
  • Meghalaya’s State Surveillance Unit (SSU) has launched an epidemiological investigation into suspected meningococcal infections in East Khasi Hills.
  • Two Agniveer trainees at the Assam Regimental Centre (ARC) have died from suspected meningococcal bacterial infection over the past two weeks.
  • The State Health Department has deployed a team at ARC and sent samples for laboratory testing.
  • The District Surveillance Unit (DSU) is coordinating with SSU to conduct contact tracing, laboratory reviews, and strengthen surveillance measures.
  • No new cases have been detected in other areas or at ARC, and contacts of a previous case have been isolated at Military Hospital (MH) Shillong.
  • Army medical officials are conducting intensive monitoring, and masking and restricted movement protocols remain in force at the military facility.
  • The health department has advised people to report to the nearest medical facility if they experience sudden high fever, headache, vomiting, or a rapidly spreading rash.
West Bengal on Nipah alert as two nurses test positive; hospitals activate isolation wards and PPE protocols (Mid of January) ▼
  • Two nurses from a private hospital in Barasat, North 24 Parganas, have tested positive for Nipah virus and are on ventilator support due to severe lung and brain infection (encephalitis).
  • All government and private healthcare units must immediately report patients with high-grade fever, acute respiratory distress, or encephalitis to the state health department.
  • Major private hospitals like CMRI and Manipal Hospital have activated dedicated isolation wards and conducted mock drills following Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and West Bengal Health Department guidelines.
  • The Union Health Ministry has deployed the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT), led by All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, to assist the state.
  • Nipah virus has two known strains—NiV-Malaysia (NiV-M) and NiV-Bangladesh (NiV-B)—and the strain in West Bengal is yet to be confirmed.
Nationwide HPV Vaccination Drive for 14-year-old girls launched (Start of March) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer, Rajasthan.
  • The campaign uses a single-dose 'Gardasil 4' quadrivalent HPV vaccine.
  • The vaccine protects against HPV types 16, 18, 6, and 11.
  • The Union Health Ministry directed all states on 25 February to administer the vaccine at government health facilities including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Community Health Centres, sub-district and district hospitals, and government medical colleges and hospitals.

Forbes lists 22-year-old Surya Midha as youngest self-made billionaire ever.

[United States]

Key Updates:

  • Surya Midha, 22, became the youngest self-made billionaire to debut in Forbes’ World’s Billionaires list, breaking Mark Zuckerberg’s 18-year-old record set at age 23.
  • Midha co-founded AI recruiting startup Mercor, valued at $10 billion by private investors last fall.
  • Midha’s net worth is $2.2 billion.
  • Midha was born in San Jose, California to Indian immigrant parents from Delhi.
  • Forbes recorded a record 35 billionaires under 30 in 2026, with 8 being US citizens.

Similar Coverage

Nikhil Kamath featured among Forbes 2025 richest self-made billionaires under 40. (Mid of February) ▼
  • Nikhil Kamath, aged 39, is ranked 20th on the Forbes 2025 list with a net worth of $3.3 billion.
  • He co-founded Bengaluru-based Zerodha in 2010 with his older brother Nithin Kamath.
  • Four individuals of Indian origin figure on the Forbes 2025 list of richest self-made billionaires under 40.
  • Their combined net worth exceeds $11 billion as stated in the article.
  • Edwin Chen, 38, tops the list with an estimated net worth of $18 billion.
  • Americans account for 32 names on the overall list of 71 self-made billionaires under 40.
  • China has eight names and India has six names on the same list.
  • The 71 under-40 self-made billionaires together control $218 billion in wealth.
Elon Musk Ranked Wealthiest in Hurun Global Rich List 2026; Mukesh Ambani Named Richest Person in Asia (Start of March) ▼
  • Elon Musk, aged 54, was ranked the wealthiest person in the world with a net worth of US$792 billion, followed by Jeff Bezos of Amazon (US$300 billion) and Larry Page of Alphabet (US$271 billion).
  • Larry Ellison of Oracle (US$267 billion) and Sergey Brin (US$247 billion) were ranked fourth and fifth, followed by Mark Zuckerberg of Meta (US$234 billion), Bernard Arnault of LVMH (US$178 billion), and Warren Buffett (US$173 billion).
  • Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) was named the richest person in Asia with a wealth of US$109 billion, while Gautam Adani ranked second in India with US$83 billion.
  • Cyrus Poonawalla of the Serum Institute of India (SII) recorded a wealth of US$33 billion, followed by Lakshmi N Mittal (US$25 billion), Niraj Bajaj of Bajaj Auto (US$24 billion), and Anil Agarwal (US$18 billion).
  • Uday Kotak was ranked with a wealth of US$16 billion, while new Indian billionaires included Shahid Bilakhia of Meril Life Science (US$6.2 billion) and Basant Bansal of M3M India (US$4.6 billion).
  • Other Indian entrants were Madhusudhan Agarwal (US$4.3 billion) and Rajendrakumar Agrawal (US$3.8 billion) of Haldirams, Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari of Physics Wallah (US$1.7 billion each), Ritesh Agarwal of OYO (US$1.6 billion), and actor Shah Rukh Khan (US$1.3 billion).
  • Jensen Huang of Nvidia entered the global top 10 for the first time with US$172 billion, while Steve Ballmer rounded out the top 10 with US$159 billion.
  • Bill Gates dropped out of the top 10 after donating US$20 billion to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), while the report recorded the deaths of Wang Linpeng (56), Shao Genhuo (60), Henri Beaufour (60), James Irsay (65), David Murdock (102), and S. Daniel Abraham (100).
Elon Musk Surpasses $800 Billion Net Worth Following SpaceX-xAI Merger (Start of February) ▼
  • Tesla CEO Elon Musk has become the first person in history to surpass a net worth of $800 billion, reaching a total of $852 billion.
  • The wealth surge followed the merger of his rocket company SpaceX and artificial intelligence company xAI, valuing the combined entity at $1.25 trillion.
  • Musk holds a 43% stake in the newly combined SpaceX-xAI entity, which is estimated to be worth $542 billion.
  • Prior to the merger, Musk held a 42% stake in SpaceX valued at $336 billion and a 49% stake in xAI worth $122 billion.
  • Musk owns approximately 12% stake in Tesla valued at $178 billion, along with stock options worth $124 billion.
  • A previous merger in March 2025 combined xAI and social media platform X, valuing xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion.
  • Musk reached the $500 billion milestone in October 2025, $600 billion on 15 December 2025, and $700 billion on 19 December 2025.
  • India link not mentioned in the article.
Hurun Research Institute ranks India third globally with 308 billionaires in 2026. (Start of March) ▼
  • India’s billionaire count rose to 308, an increase of 24 from the previous year, according to the Hurun Global Rich List 2026.
  • Indian billionaires added 57 new entrants and saw 27 drop out during the year.
  • Total wealth of Indian billionaires grew 10% year-on-year to ₹112.6 trillion.
  • Mukesh Ambani retained his position as India and Asia’s richest person with a net worth of ₹9.8 trillion, up 9%.
  • Gautam Adani remained the second richest Indian despite a 14% decline in wealth to ₹7.5 trillion.
  • Roshni Nadar Malhotra, chairperson of HCL Technologies, was third with wealth of ₹3.2 trillion and the only woman among India’s top 10 richest.
  • Healthcare sector produced 53 new billionaires, industrial products 36, and consumer goods 31.
  • Energy sector, with eight billionaires, accounted for ₹18.3 trillion or about 16% of India’s cumulative billionaire wealth.
  • Cyrus S Poonawalla of Serum Institute of India added nearly ₹0.91 trillion, the largest absolute gain.
  • Mumbai hosts 95 billionaires, adding 15 new entrants, but lost its status as Asia’s billionaire capital to Shenzhen which has 133.
  • India’s youngest billionaire is Ritesh Agarwal, founder of Oyo, aged 32 with net worth of ₹14,440 crore.
  • 23 Indian women billionaires collectively hold wealth of ₹9.8 trillion.

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) increases FASTag Annual Pass fee to ₹3,075

Key Updates:

  • The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced a revision in the FASTag Annual Pass fee for the financial year 2026–27.
  • The annual pass fee will increase from ₹3,000 to ₹3,075, effective from April 1, 2026.
  • The revision is implemented under the provisions of the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008.
  • The pass is valid for one year or 200 toll crossings, whichever is earlier, across approximately 1,150 fee plazas on National Highways and Expressways.
  • The scheme is applicable to eligible non-commercial vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans possessing a valid FASTag.
  • The FASTag Annual Pass was launched on August 15, 2025, and currently has over 56 lakh subscribers.
  • Vehicle owners can activate the pass through the Rajmarg Yatra mobile application or the official website of the NHAI.

Similar Coverage

NHAI discontinues cash toll payments from 1 April 2026 (End of February) ▼
  • National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will stop accepting cash at all national toll plazas from 1 April 2026.
  • All toll payments will be processed only through digital modes using FASTag or Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
  • Vehicles entering a toll plaza without a valid FASTag are charged twice the applicable user fee if payment is made in cash.
  • Users paying via UPI are charged 1.25 times the user fee for the applicable vehicle category.
  • Over 98% penetration of FASTag has transformed toll collection practices across the country.
  • More than 1,150 fee plazas on various National Highways and Expressways will implement the digital-only payment system.
FASTag Annual Pass Crosses 50 Lakh User Mark with ₹3,000 One-Time Fee (Start of February) ▼
  • The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) reported that the FASTag Annual Pass has crossed 50 lakh users with over 26.55 crore transactions recorded within six months of launch.
  • The initiative was launched on August 15, 2025, to provide financial relief to commuters using national highways.
  • The pass is applicable for all non-commercial vehicles with a valid FASTag and requires a one-time fee payment of ₹3,000.
  • The validity of the pass is for one year or 200 toll plaza crossings, applicable at approximately 1,150 fee plazas on National Highways and National Expressways.
  • Chandigarh leads in usage accounting for 14 per cent of total transactions, followed by Tamil Nadu at 12.3 per cent and Delhi at 11.5 per cent.
  • Bijwasan Fee Plaza in Delhi NCR is the leading location with 57 per cent of car crossings using the pass, followed by Mundaka in Delhi NCR and Jhinjholi in Sonipat at 53 per cent each.
  • The pass can be activated within two hours through the Rajmargyatra App or the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) website.
National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008 amended to reduce toll on partially operational Expressways (Mid of February) ▼
  • Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) amended the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008 with effect from 15 February 2026.
  • On partially operational National Expressways, toll will now be levied only on the completed stretch at the lower rate applicable to regular National Highways instead of the 25 per cent higher Expressway rate.
  • The amendment will remain valid for up to one year from its enforcement date or until the Expressway becomes fully operational, whichever is earlier.
Nutrient-Based Subsidy Scheme Rabi 2025-26 rates approved with Rs 37,952 crore outlay (Start of January) ▼
  • The Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers approved subsidy rates for Rabi 2025-26 effective from October 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.
  • The tentative budget requirement for Rabi 2025-26 is approximately Rs 37,952 crore, about Rs 736 crore higher than the budgetary requirement for the Kharif 2025 season.
  • The approved rates cover Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers, including DAP and NPKS grades.

World Bank (WB) signs $300 million loan for Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Program.

[World Bank, Uttar Pradesh]

Key Updates:

  • The World Bank (WB) signed a $300 million loan agreement with Uttar Pradesh for the UP Clean Air Management Program.
  • The program targets transport, agriculture, and industry to adopt cleaner technologies.
  • Around 200 new air quality monitors will be deployed under the initiative.
  • The project anticipates leveraging an additional $150 million in private investment.
  • Over 700 brick kilns will shift to eco-friendly technology.
  • 3.9 million households will gain access to clean cooking solutions.
  • Juhi Mukherjee from the Ministry of Finance, B Chandrakala from Uttar Pradesh Government, and Paul Procee from the World Bank attended the signing.

Similar Coverage

Ireda Global Green Energy Finance IFSC Ltd (IGGEFIL) sanctions USD 22.5 million green loan to Swarna Solar for 100 MW Zambia solar project. (Mid of January) ▼
  • Ireda Global Green Energy Finance IFSC Ltd (IGGEFIL) approved its first international loan of USD 22.5 million during the board meeting held in New Delhi.
  • The loan will finance Swarna Solar Limited's development of a 100 MW Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant in Serenje District, Central Province, Zambia.
  • IGGEFIL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (Ireda).
PM-SETU Programme gets $830 million World Bank loan to upgrade ITIs (Start of February) ▼
  • World Bank approved $830 million loan for PM-SETU to revamp Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
  • PM-SETU targets training over 1 million skilled workers annually and mobilising at least $680 million in private investment.
  • Programme adopts hub-and-spoke model: 200 advanced hub ITIs and 800 spoke ITIs district-wide.
  • Loan has 19.5-year final maturity including 4-year grace period.
  • Curricula will be updated and at least 25% of ITI students will be women.
  • Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) with anchor firms will manage government-owned but industry-run operations.
  • Focus sectors include manufacturing, electric vehicles (EVs), artificial intelligence (AI), green energy, textiles, and construction.
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) guarantees $197.67 million to Citibank N.A. for SBI rooftop solar refinancing. (End of February) ▼
  • Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) issued a five-year guarantee of $197.67 million to Citibank N.A. for its loan to State Bank of India (SBI).
  • The guarantee supports refinancing of a $500 million World Bank facility for grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic systems for commercial and industrial users across India.
  • SBI launched the programme in 2016 with World Bank financing and technical assistance and has achieved 1,004 MW of rooftop solar installations.
  • Citibank acted as sole lender and coordinator, building on a 2024 collaboration.
  • The refinancing is expected to reduce borrowing costs and diversify funding sources while shifting loan exposure to commercial lenders.
  • SBI must allocate 7.5% of domestic advances to green financing as India requires $160 billion to $300 billion annually to reach net zero by 2070.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) signs USD 108 million debt financing with Aavas Financiers (End of February) ▼
  • The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a senior secured debt financing package of up to USD 108 million (approximately ₹983 crore) with Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) Aavas Financiers.
  • The package includes USD 8 million in concessional debt financing through the Canadian Climate and Nature Fund for the Private Sector in Asia (CANPA).
  • The financing aims to expand access to affordable housing loans for lower-income households and business loans for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in underserved Indian states.
  • Under the agreement, at least 70 per cent of the ADB debt financing is earmarked for housing loans for lower-income borrowers.
  • A minimum of 50 per cent of the housing loans will be allocated to women property owners as sole or joint owners.
  • The remaining 30 per cent of the total financing will be onlent to MSMEs to support entrepreneurship and job creation.
  • The transaction includes up to USD 1,50,000 in technical assistance to build institutional capacity and boost market awareness of green housing solutions.
  • CANPA is a trust fund managed by ADB, established in 2024 with a commitment of 360 million Canadian dollars from the Canadian government.

Supreme Court clarifies DGP appointment rules: Follow state law or Prakash Singh guidelines

Key Updates:

  • The Supreme Court of India (SC) clarified that states with a specific law for appointing Directors General of Police (DGPs) must follow that legislation.
  • States without such a law must adhere to the guidelines laid down in the Prakash Singh vs Union of India case on police reforms.
  • A bench headed by Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, closed contempt proceedings against Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana after noting the states had sent proposals to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for DGP appointments.
  • Under the Prakash Singh judgment (2006), states send a list of eligible senior IPS officers to the UPSC, which evaluates their service records and prepares a panel of three suitable candidates, from whom the state government appoints one as DGP.
  • The court directed that the selected DGP should normally be given a minimum fixed tenure of two years.
  • Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh have enacted their own laws governing the appointment of DGPs.
  • Jharkhand’s law provides that the selection of the police chief is carried out by a committee headed by a retired High Court judge.
  • The court sought responses from the governments of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand within two weeks regarding the status of their DGP appointments.

Similar Coverage

Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari Appointed Chief Justice of Madras High Court (Start of March) ▼
  • The President of India appointed Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari as the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court following the recommendation of the Supreme Court (SC) Collegium.
  • The SC Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, recommended the appointment in a meeting held on 26 February.
  • Justice Dharmadhikari succeeds Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, who retired from the position on 5 March.
  • He is currently serving as a judge of the Kerala High Court, having been transferred there from his parent Madhya Pradesh High Court in April 2025.
  • The transfer to the Kerala High Court was approved by the President under Article 222 of the Constitution of India.
  • Justice Dharmadhikari was first appointed as an additional judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in April 2016 and took oath as a permanent judge on 17 March 2018.
  • Born on 9 July 1966 at Raipur, he practised law in civil, criminal, and constitutional branches for 24 years in the Madhya Pradesh High Court before his elevation to the bench.
Supreme Court clarifies Merit-Based Allocation for Reserved Category Candidates (Mid of January) ▼
  • The Supreme Court ruled that reserved category candidates who score above the general category cutoff must be adjusted against unreserved seats.
  • The Court stated that the 'unreserved' category is an open pool based strictly on merit, not a quota for general candidates.
  • The judgment emphasized that such merit-based adjustment is required under Article 14 and Article 16 of the Constitution.
MHA mandates 2-year Central deputation as SP/DIG for IPS officers seeking IG rank at Centre (Start of February) ▼
  • The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) modified guidelines making a minimum two years of Central deputation at Superintendent of Police (SP) or Deputy Inspector General (DIG) level mandatory for empanelment as Inspector General (IG) or equivalent at the Centre.
  • The revised rule applies to IPS officers of the 2011 batch onwards.
  • The official communication was sent to all Chief Secretaries of state governments for circulation among IPS officers in their cadres.
  • Copies were also forwarded to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), all state Directors General of Police (DGsP), Union Territory division of MHA, and other senior officials.
Anil Kaushik, Davinder Pal Singh, Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar appointed as Additional Solicitors General for India (End of December) ▼
  • Anil Kaushik, Davinder Pal Singh, and Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar have been appointed as Additional Solicitors General for India (ASGIs) to represent the Union government before the Supreme Court.
  • Their tenure as ASGIs is for three years.
  • They will assist the Solicitor General in handling constitutional, statutory, and policy-related matters before the apex court.

Ministry of Education Launches SATHEE App for Free Competitive Exam Preparation

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Education (MoE) introduced the Self Assessment Test and Help for Entrance Exams (SATHEE) app as a digital learning platform for competitive examinations.
  • The application was developed as an initiative by the MoE in association with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur.
  • The platform offers free preparation resources for various exams, specifically Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), and Common University Entrance Test (CUET).
  • Academic content provided includes video lectures and notes from experts at the IIT and other educational institutions.
  • The app features study materials, including previous year question papers, available in multiple Indian languages including Hindi and English.
  • The platform is designed with a simple interface to facilitate access for students in rural areas and those unable to afford private coaching academies.

Similar Coverage

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launches AI-powered Teacher App 2.0 (End of February) ▼
  • Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched Teacher App 2.0, an upgraded artificial intelligence (AI) powered digital platform for schoolteachers in New Delhi.
  • The platform was developed through a collaboration between the Bharti Airtel Foundation and the CK-12 Foundation.
  • The application covers the entire National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) curriculum from class 1 to 12, providing subject-wise materials and lesson plans.
  • The upgraded platform features more than 45 AI-enabled tools designed to assist in lesson preparation, student engagement, and classroom assessments.
  • The current version expands upon the earlier iteration launched in 2024, which was restricted to early grades only.
Free Online Coaching Initiative by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) for 5,000 candidates annually (Start of February) ▼
  • The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) signed an MoU with Physics Wallah (PW) Foundation to deliver free online coaching.
  • The scheme covers Civil Services Examination, Staff Selection Commission Examination and Banking Examinations.
  • 5,000 Scheduled Caste, Other Backward Class and Pradhan Mantri CARES for Children Scheme beneficiaries will be selected each year through a merit-based online portal.
  • Selected candidates receive live and recorded classes, test series, previous year question papers, study material, mentorship, doubt-solving support and counselling.
  • The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has not signed any similar MoU for Scheduled Tribe students.
SATYA Portal launched to digitise STQC certification services (Mid of February) ▼
  • Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Jitin Prasada, inaugurated the STQC Lab Automation Portal – SATYA under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
  • The SATYA portal provides a single, integrated, user-friendly digital platform for end-to-end automation of laboratory and certification processes of the Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate.
  • The portal reduces manual intervention, improves turnaround time, and enhances transparency across all stages of testing and certification.
  • It lowers procedural and compliance burdens for startups and MSMEs, enabling quicker market entry for products meeting quality and security standards.
  • SATYA aligns with Digital India, Minimum Government – Maximum Governance, and Ease of Doing Business initiatives.
Padhai with AI App Launched to Provide Digital Learning for Competitive Exams (Start of February) ▼
  • Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the Padhai with AI app, an initiative of the Bilaspur district administration.
  • The AI-based digital learning platform is designed for students in Bilaspur district preparing for various competitive examinations.
  • The initiative ensures a fully digital learning system and provides continuous academic counselling to students.
  • The programme is supported by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) to provide technology-based and quality educational facilities.
  • The Himachal Pradesh government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with M/s Geotropy India Pvt. Ltd. for geothermal energy exploration.
  • The MoU aims to harness green energy sources to transition Himachal Pradesh into a Green Energy State.
  • The agreement was signed by the Chief Engineer of the Directorate of Energy, D.P. Gupt, and the Chairperson of Iceland-based GEOTROPY ehf, Tomos Otto Hansson.
  • The Ambassador of Iceland to India, Benedikt Hoskuldsson, and Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi were present during the signing of the agreement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Launches Development Projects Worth ₹47,800 Crore in Assam

[Assam]

Key Updates:

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and launched multiple development projects worth ₹47,800 crore in Assam.
  • Under the Assam Mala 3.0 Road Infrastructure Initiative, approximately 900 km of roads will be constructed at a cost of over ₹3,200 crore.
  • Six infrastructure projects, including four flyovers and two bridges, will be implemented in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) at a cost of over ₹1,100 crore.
  • A Railway Periodic Overhaul (POH) workshop will be established at Basbari in Kokrajhar district to strengthen maintenance capacity.
  • Three new train services were introduced: Kamakhya–Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express, Guwahati–New Jalpaiguri Express, and Narengi–Agartala Express.
  • The 22nd installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) was released, with 18.59 lakh farmers in Assam receiving ₹371 crore.
  • The Kopili Hydroelectric Project, valued at over ₹2,300 crore, will be implemented in Dima Hasao and West Karbi Anglong districts.
  • The capacity of the Numaligarh Refinery (NRL) will be expanded from 3 MMTPA to 9 MMTPA through the Numaligarh–Siliguri Product Pipeline Expansion.
  • The North-East Gas Grid – Phase I will connect Guwahati, Numaligarh, Gohpur, and Itanagar, with a branch extending to Dimapur.
  • A rail-connected Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants (POL) terminal will be established at Panchgram in Hailakandi district.
  • Railway electrification projects covering Rangia–Murkongselek, Chaparmukh–Dibrugarh, Badarpur–Silchar, and Badarpur–Churaibari sections were completed at a cost of over ₹2,250 crore.
  • The Furkating–Tinsukia railway line will be doubled over a distance of 194 km at a cost of over ₹3,600 crore.
  • Inland waterway projects include cruise terminals at Biswanath Ghat and Nemati, and a Regional Centre of Excellence for Maritime Training at Bogibeel.
  • A ropeway project will be constructed between Kamakhya Railway Station and Kamakhya Temple to transport approximately 17,000 passengers daily.
  • A PM Ekta Mall will be established in Guwahati to showcase handicrafts, handloom products, and One District One Product (ODOP) items.
  • The Shillong–Silchar High-Speed Corridor, spanning 166 km, will be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹22,860 crore.
  • A new Agriculture College will be established at Patharkandi in Karimganj district.

Similar Coverage

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) extends Demwe Lower hydel project clearance till 2037 (Mid of February) ▼
  • The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has extended the environmental clearance (EC) for the 1,750 MW Demwe Lower Project in Arunachal Pradesh until 2037.
  • The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) on river valley and hydroelectric projects granted the 11-year extension by treating time lost to litigation as a zero period.
  • The project is located on the Lohit River across the Anjaw and Lohit districts and involves the construction of a 162.12-metre-tall concrete gravity dam.
  • Greenko Demwe Power Limited (GDPL), part of the Greenko Group, is the current developer after the original developer, Athena Demwe Power Ltd, entered insolvency proceedings.
  • The project requires the diversion of 1,416 hectares of forest land and will result in the submergence of 1,589.97 hectares.
  • The Lohit basin and Kamlang Tiger Reserve, situated upstream of the project, are identified as crucial habitats for the critically endangered White-Bellied Heron.
  • The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had previously ordered the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) to reconsider the project due to its potential impact on the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park in Assam.
  • The project is situated upstream of Parshuram Kund, a significant Hindu pilgrimage site located within the Lohit riverine ecosystem.
Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal inaugurates commercial operation of Unit-2 of Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (End of December) ▼
  • The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project is India’s largest hydropower project with a total capacity of 2000 MW, comprising eight units of 250 MW each.
  • The project is designed as a Run-of-the-River scheme with small pondage, utilizing eight Head Race Tunnels (HRTs) to generate 7,422 million units (MU) of renewable electricity annually.
  • The infrastructure features a 116-metre-high concrete gravity dam, which is the largest dam in North-East India.
  • The project incorporates technical milestones including India’s heaviest hydro generator rotors, largest stators, and the first-ever use of Rotec’s Tower Belt for dam concreting in the country.
  • It provides flood moderation with a 442 million cubic metre flood cushion and a gross reservoir storage of 1,365 million cubic metres at Full Reservoir Level (FRL).
  • NHPC Limited (NHPC) has implemented riverbank protection and erosion control measures extending up to 60 km downstream with an investment of approximately ₹522 crore.
  • The project will provide free power allocations to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, with the North-East region receiving a total of 1,000 MW.
SJVN CMD site visit to 900 MW Arun-3 Hydro Electric Project in Nepal (Mid of December) ▼
  • SJVN Limited’s Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) Bhupender Gupta conducted a site visit to the 900 MW Arun-3 Hydro Electric Project in Nepal.
  • The project is being developed by SJVN through its wholly-owned subsidiary, SJVN Arun-3 Power Development Company Pvt. Ltd., in the Sankhuwasabha district of Nepal.
  • Upon commissioning, the project will supply 900 MW of clean energy and play a key role in meeting growing power demand and fostering long-term India-Nepal energy cooperation.
Dulhasti Stage-II Hydropower Project receives environmental clearance (End of December) ▼
  • The Expert Appraisal Committee under the Ministry of Environment accorded environmental clearance to the 260-megawatt Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project on Chenab river in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The project is estimated to cost over ₹3,200 crore and will be implemented as a run-of-the-river scheme.
  • The clearance was granted during the 45th meeting of the Expert Appraisal Committee on hydel projects.

Musi River Rejuvenation Plan: 55-km corridor restoration and heritage tourism integration.

Key Updates:

  • The Musi rejuvenation plan targets restoration and development of around 55 km of the river corridor.
  • The plan focuses on river cleaning, ecological restoration, riverfront development and public access.
  • Key historic structures mapped include Golconda fort, Qutb Shahi tombs, Taramati Baradari, Shri Veerabhadra Swami Devalayam, Purana Pul, Government City College, Macca Masjid, Charminar, the Telangana High Court building, Osmania General Hospital and the British Residency at Koti.
  • E.V. Narasimha Reddy, MD of the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation (MRDCL), unveiled the heritage concept map.
  • Authorities aim to integrate these historic structures into a heritage tourism network while preserving Hyderabad’s historic character.

Similar Coverage

Senapati Forest Division launches PRA exercise to rejuvenate Barak River watershed (Start of January) ▼
  • The Senapati Forest Division launched a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercise at Saranamai village under the Barak catchment area.
  • The PRA exercise involved mapping of local resources, land-use patterns, wealth ranking, matrix ranking, timeline and SWOT analysis of the village.
  • The baseline data generated will help formulate a detailed action plan under the new CAMPA scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
  • Barak River originates at Liyai Khullen village of Senapati District and drains into the Bay of Bengal as river Meghna in Bangladesh.
  • The Barak basin is the second largest basin in North-East India and is fed by tributaries including the Makru, Irang, Tuivai.
  • Threats to the Barak basin include forest fires, floods, bank erosion, deforestation, shifting cultivation, soil erosion, landslides, and lack of awareness.
Sharda River Corridor Project launched in Uttarakhand with ₹3,300 Crore Investment (Start of February) ▼
  • Chief Minister (CM) Pushkar Singh Dhami laid the foundation stone for the Sharda river corridor project at Tanakpur in the Champawat district of Uttarakhand.
  • The project involves a total proposed investment of ₹3,300 crore and will cover an area of nearly 200 sq km in the Champawat district.
  • The first phase of the project includes the redevelopment of Sharda Ghat at a cost of ₹10.7 crore and the Tanakpur city drainage system costing ₹66 crore.
  • Infrastructure developments under the first phase also include a helipad at Chuka and a multi-storey parking facility.
  • The corridor aims to promote adventure tourism through facilities for river rafting on the Sharda river and paragliding.
  • The state government plans to extend the Purnagiri mela beyond its current three-month schedule to attract visitors throughout the year.
  • The project focuses on the conservation and development of cultural heritage sites, including temples at Devidhura, Bageshwar, Jageshwar, Patal Bhuvaneshwar, and the Goljyu temple in Champawat.
Musi River Development Project gets Rs 4,100 crore ADB in-principle loan (Start of January) ▼
  • Asian Development Bank (ADB) has in-principle agreed to extend Rs 4,100 crore (USD 500 million) to the Telangana Government for parts of phase-I of Musi River Development Project.
  • The state government has submitted a preliminary project report to the Ministry of Jal Shakti seeking Rs 3,188 crore under the National River Conservation Plan for the Musi river project.
  • The entire project is divided into five zones; the Detailed Project Report for Zone I is in progress and 21 km of the total 55 km in Zone-I is being undertaken by Musi Riverfront Development Corporation (MRDCL).
International Spice Routes Heritage Network launched to position heritage as global tourism asset (Start of January) ▼
  • Kerala has launched the International Spice Routes Heritage Network, a global platform to boost cultural tourism and research by leveraging its historic maritime trade.
  • The initiative signals a strategic push to reposition heritage as a contemporary economic and tourism resource rather than a static historical narrative.
  • The Spice Routes Network would function as a platform for collaborative research, joint projects and shared resources in heritage conservation, archaeology, documentation, and museum development.
  • Organised by the Kerala Tourism Department in collaboration with the Muziris Heritage Project, the January 6-8 event brings together historians, policymakers and cultural practitioners from India and abroad.
  • Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas announced the initiative while inaugurating the three-day International Spice Routes Conference, themed 'Ancient Trails. New Journeys', at Bolgatty Palace.

Iran fires Sejjil missile for first time in West Asia conflict

[Iran]

Key Updates:

  • Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) launched the domestically developed Sejjil missile on 15 March 2026 against Israeli and American targets as part of the ‘True Promise 4’ operation.
  • The Sejjil is a two-stage, solid-propellant medium-range ballistic missile with a range of approximately 2,000 kilometres and a payload capacity of around 700 kilograms.
  • First test launch of Sejjil took place in 2008; improved variants include Sejjil-2 and the speculated Sejjil-3 under development.
  • The missile measures about 18 metres in length, 1.25 metres in diameter and has a launch weight of roughly 23,600 kilograms according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
  • Nicknamed the ‘dancing missile’, Sejjil can manoeuvre at high altitudes to evade missile defence systems such as Israel’s Iron Dome.

Similar Coverage

India to evaluate Israeli 'Sky Sting' long-range BVRAAM during PM Modi visit to Israel (Start of March) ▼
  • India is likely to advance discussions on procuring the Israeli-origin 'Sky Sting' long-range beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel on Wednesday.
  • The Sky Sting missile, with an engagement envelope of around 250 km, is pitched to plug a critical gap in the Indian Air Force's long-range air combat capability.
  • The proposal is likely to follow a phased route, with an initial off-the-shelf acquisition followed by localised production with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems.
  • The system will undergo trials and integration validation before induction and operationalisation.
  • Israel has been pitching the missile for integration on the Tejas Mk1A, with the initial tranche equipped with the Israeli ELM-2052 AESA radar.
  • HAL's delivery delays of the Tejas Mk1A are partly due to integration challenges of the radar with the indigenous Astra BVRAAM.
  • The Sky Sting, unveiled around three years ago, is under development and has not yet been inducted into operational service.
  • India already operates Rafael-origin systems including the I-Derby ER and Python-5 air-to-air missiles, the SPYDER air defence system, and precision strike weapons such as SPICE and Rampage.
  • India is a key partner in the development of the Barak-8 air defence system deployed across the three services.
  • The IAF's current BVRAAM inventory includes the indigenous Astra Mk1 with a range of around 110 km, produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
  • The Astra Mk2 is under development to extend range beyond 200 km, and the Astra Mk3, based on solid fuel ducted ramjet technology, is projected to reach 350 km.
  • The IAF also operates Russian-origin R-77 missiles on its Su-30MKI fleet, alongside the Meteor with range exceeding 200 km, the MICA with range up to 80 km, and the I-Derby ER.
  • A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently inked between the Indian and Israeli defence ministries ahead of Prime Minister Modi's visit to move towards co-development and co-production of next-generation systems.
United States announces tactical shift to precision gravity bombs in Iran military campaign (Start of March) ▼
  • United States (US) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a tactical pivot from standoff munitions to precision gravity bombs in the ongoing campaign against Iran.
  • The US military will deploy the Mark 80 series of conventional gravity bombs, specifically the 500-pound Mk 82, 1,000-pound Mk 83, and 2,000-pound Mk 84 variants.
  • Gravity bombs are unpowered munitions that are converted into precision weapons using Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) and steerable fins.
  • The shift follows the degradation of Iranian air defences, allowing the use of gravity bombs which cost approximately $25,000 to $30,000 per unit compared to more expensive standoff missiles.
  • Previous operations utilised standoff munitions such as Tomahawk cruise missiles and Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones to dismantle radars and missile batteries.
  • The Mark 80 series can be deployed by various aircraft, including the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-35 stealth jets, and B-52 Stratofortress heavy strategic bombers.
  • While the current campaign uses conventional bombs, the US arsenal also includes nuclear gravity bombs like the B61 and B83 series, which require explicit authorisation from the US President.
  • India link not mentioned in the article.
Iran unveils Khorramshahr-4 ballistic missile with 2,000 km range (Mid of February) ▼
  • Iran deployed the Khorramshahr-4 ballistic missile, also called Kheibar, inside underground missile cities.
  • The missile was publicly shown for the first time during the unveiling of a new missile city belonging to the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
  • Khorramshahr-4 has a range of approximately 2,000 kilometres and can carry a 1,500-kilogram warhead.
  • The missile uses an Arvand engine with self-igniting fuel, enabling launch from mobile platforms in under 15 minutes.
  • It reaches speeds of about Mach 16 outside the atmosphere and Mach 8 inside it, with total flight time of 10 to 12 minutes.
  • The missile features mid-flight guidance and a manoeuvring warhead with tactical engines to improve terminal accuracy and counter electronic warfare.
India test fires 3,500-km K-4 missile from nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat on December 25, 2025 (End of December) ▼
  • India tested an intermediate-range ballistic missile called K-4, which is designed to hit targets 3,500-km away, from the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday.
  • The solid-fuelled K-4 can carry a two-tonne nuclear payload and is critical for India to strengthen the sea leg of its nuclear weapons triad.
  • INS Arighaat, the country's second nuclear-powered submarine with nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles (called SSBN in naval parlance), was commissioned on Aug 29 last year.
  • India will commission its third SSBN as INS Aridhaman in the first quarter of 2026 and the fourth in 2027-28 under the secretive over Rs 90,000 crore ATV (advanced technology vessel) programme launched decades ago.
  • The operational deployment of K-4 missiles, which will be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000 to 6,000-km range class, will somewhat help India narrow the huge gap with countries like the US, Russia and China.
  • Her forerunner INS Arihant, which became fully operational in 2018, can carry only the 750-km range K-15 missiles.
  • The SSBNs impart India's deterrence posture with much more credibility because they are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes in line with the country's 'no first-use' policy.

Archaeologists recover 3.8-metre limestone fragment completing 7-metre Ramesses II statue buried 96 years at El Ashmunein

[Egypt]

Key Updates:

  • The 3.8-metre limestone fragment was uncovered at El Ashmunein, Minya Governorate, about 150 miles south of Cairo.
  • The fragment matches the lower half of a colossal seated statue of Ramesses II found in 1930 by German archaeologist Günther Roeder.
  • The joint 2024 mission was conducted by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the University of Colorado Boulder.
  • When reassembled the statue will stand roughly 7 metres tall and show Ramesses II wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt topped by a royal cobra.
  • The find lies within Hermopolis Magna, ancient Khemnu, a major religious centre devoted to the god Thoth.

Similar Coverage

Baylor University-led team unearths intact 2,600-year-old Etruscan tomb in central Italy (Start of March) ▼
  • The San Giuliano Archaeological Research Project (SGARP), led by Baylor University, discovered an undisturbed Etruscan chamber tomb at the San Giuliano necropolis approximately 70 kilometres northwest of Rome.
  • The sealed tomb dates to the 7th century BC and contains the remains of four individuals laid on carved stone beds surrounded by over 100 grave goods including ceramic vases, iron weapons, bronze ornaments, and silver hair spools.
  • The excavation operates under Italy’s Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Virgil Academy in Rome and the town of Barbarano Romano.
  • Since 2016 Baylor University students have participated in the excavation through the ‘Archaeology Research in Italy’ study abroad programme, gaining hands-on experience in stratigraphic excavation and artifact documentation under Italian heritage law frameworks.
Saint Tirumangai Alvar Idol Returned to India by Ashmolean Museum (Start of March) ▼
  • The University of Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology (Ashmolean Museum) returned a stolen 16th-century bronze idol of Saint Tirumangai Alvar to the Indian High Commission in London.
  • The idol was originally stolen in 1952 from the Soundararaja Perumal Koil temple located in a village in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu.
  • The India Pride Project identified the bronze by matching it with 1957 temple photographs preserved at the Institut Français de Pondichéry (IFP).
  • The Ashmolean Museum acquired the idol in 1967 from the collection of private collector Dr J R Belmont, who had purchased it from Sotheby’s.
  • The repatriation process involved coordination between the museum, the Indian High Commission, and the Tamil Nadu Idol Wing Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
  • The article identifies other stolen items from the same temple that are yet to be repatriated, including a Vishnu icon from the Kimbell Museum, a Kaliya Krishna from the Asian Art Museum, and a Devi idol.
  • This handover follows a decision by the US-based Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art to restitute bronzes stolen from the Alathur and Veeracholapuram temples in Tamil Nadu.
Gandhi statue theft in Rowville, Melbourne on Feb 3, 2026 (Start of February) ▼
  • India condemned the vandalism and removal of the Mahatma Gandhi statue at the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, Melbourne, Victoria.
  • The bronze statue, weighing around 420 kg, was unveiled on 12 November 2021 by then Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison to mark 75 years of Indian independence.
  • The statue was gifted by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
  • Victoria Police are investigating the theft for possible motives including scrap metal value, deliberate vandalism, or intimidation.
  • This was the second attack on the statue; it was previously vandalised less than 24 hours after its inauguration in November 2021.
  • Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India has strongly raised the matter with Australian authorities and urged immediate action to recover the statue and hold culprits accountable.
Researchers identify 5,300-year-old metal bow drill in Egypt as earliest rotary tool (Mid of February) ▼
  • Researchers from Newcastle University and the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna identified a tool from a Predynastic cemetery in Badari, Upper Egypt, as the oldest known metal drill in the country.
  • The artifact dates to the late fourth millennium BCE and measures 63 millimetres in length with a weight of approximately 1.5 grams.
  • Portable X-ray fluorescence analysis revealed the tool is composed of a copper alloy containing arsenic, nickel, silver, and lead to increase hardness.
  • Microscopic inspection of the tip showed fine parallel lines and rounded edges, confirming its function as a rotary tool rather than a piercing instrument.
  • The presence of dried leather coils on the shaft indicates the tool was part of a bow drill system where a cord was used to spin the shaft.

OmSpace Rocket and Exploration (OSRE) Test-Fires Sounding Rocket in Gujarat

[Gujarat]

Key Updates:

  • OmSpace Rocket and Exploration (OSRE) successfully launched a 4.2-metre sounding rocket from Bavaliyari near Dholera, becoming the first entity to launch a rocket from Gujarat.
  • The single-stage sub-orbital rocket reached a target altitude of 3 kilometres before executing a safe landing using a dual-parachute recovery system.
  • The mission validated several indigenous technologies, including a 3D-printed torch igniter, a sugar-based solid propellant motor, and a carbon fibre and advanced composites-based airframe.
  • The rocket components were entirely researched, developed, and manufactured in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
  • The launch was conducted with permissions from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the Airport Authority of India (AAI).
  • The data from this flight will be used to develop Infinity One, an orbital-class reusable launch vehicle currently under development by OSRE.
  • The event was attended by the Gujarat State Science and Technology Minister, Arjun Modhwadia.

Similar Coverage

Gujarat launches 'Lake and Air Watch' initiative with ₹10 crore outlay for real-time air and lake monitoring (Mid of March) ▼
  • Gujarat Urban Development Mission (GUDM) will launch the 'Lake and Air Watch' initiative under the state’s Urban Development and Urban Housing Department.
  • Air quality monitoring stations will be installed in 17 municipal corporations and 152 municipal areas to provide real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) information.
  • The initiative has an estimated provision of Rs 10 crore to strengthen environmental protection and promote sustainable urban development.
  • Satellite technology will analyse lake areas, waste presence and algae growth, and timely alerts will be issued for conservation action.
  • An integrated digital platform will consolidate lake health and air quality data at the state level through a centralised dashboard with maps, trends and alerts.
DRDO successfully tests maiden Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR 120) in Odisha (End of December) ▼
  • Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Monday successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR 120) at the Integrated Test Range in Odisha's Chandipur.
  • The rocket was tested for its maximum range of 120 km, demonstrating all in-flight manoeuvres as planned.
  • The LRGR impacted the target with textbook precision.
  • The LRGR 120 is an extended-range, precision-guided rocket developed for the Indian Army’s Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
  • Unlike earlier unguided Pinaka rockets, the LRGR is equipped with a guidance system that significantly improves accuracy.
  • The rocket is fired from the existing Pinaka launcher, allowing the Army to enhance capability without inducting a new launch platform.
India successfully test-fires nuclear-capable Agni-III ballistic missile from Odisha (Start of February) ▼
  • India successfully carried out a test launch of the Agni-III intermediate-range ballistic missile on 06 Feb 2026.
  • The missile was fired from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha.
  • The launch met all mission objectives and validated operational and technical parameters.
  • The test was conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) completes user evaluation trials of Akash-NG missile system (End of December) ▼
  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully completed user evaluation trials of the next-generation Akash (Akash-NG) missile system, paving the way for its induction into the Indian Armed Forces. Quote: "The DRDO on Tuesday 'successfully completed' user evaluation trials of the next-generation Akash missile system, paving the way for its induction into the armed forces, officials said."
  • The Akash-NG system met all Preliminary Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) and demonstrated high precision against high-speed, low-altitude, and long-range high-altitude targets. Quote: "User evaluation trials of Akash NG missile successfully completed today, meeting all PSQR requirements... The system demonstrated high precision against diverse aerial threats, including high-speed, low-altitude and long-range high-altitude targets."
  • The missile system is equipped with an indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) seeker, a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, and fully homegrown radars and Control and Command (C2) systems. Quote: "Equipped with an indigenous RF seeker, dual-pulse solid rocket motor, and fully homegrown radars and C2 systems, Akash-NG marks a major boost to India's air defence capability."
  • During the trials, the DRDO successfully intercepted aerial targets at various ranges and altitudes, including near-boundary-low-altitude scenarios. Quote: "During the trials, the missiles successfully intercepted aerial targets at different ranges and altitudes, 'including the near-boundary-low-altitude and long-range, high-altitude scenarios,' the DRDO said."

Botanical Survey of India (BSI) rediscovers Henckelia monophylla in Arunachal Pradesh after 189 years

[Arunachal Pradesh, Botanical Survey of India]

Key Updates:

  • Botanical Survey of India (BSI) scientists rediscovered Henckelia monophylla during a field survey in Lohit district, Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Henckelia monophylla, a Gesneriaceae family perennial herb, had not been documented since the early 19th century.
  • Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu congratulated the BSI team and highlighted the state's extraordinary biodiversity.

Similar Coverage

New Flowering Plant Species Impatiens nagorum Discovered in Nagaland (End of February) ▼
  • Botanists discovered a new flowering plant species named Impatiens nagorum in the Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary located in the Kiphire district of Nagaland.
  • The research was conducted by experts from Kohima Science College, Nagaland University, University of Warsaw, and the Botanical Survey of India (BSI).
  • The new species was formally described in the international journal Phytotaxa.
  • Impatiens nagorum belongs to the genus Impatiens, commonly referred to as balsams or touch-me-nots, known for seed pods that burst open when touched.
  • The plant was found at an elevation of 2,336 metres within moist temperate broadleaf forests and is currently known only from its type locality.
  • The species grows up to 35 cm tall, features purple flowers, serrated leaves, and a lower sepal that tapers into a hooked spur.
  • The specific epithet nagorum honours the indigenous Naga tribes of Nagaland.
  • A population of approximately 20 individuals was recorded, suggesting the species is rare and potentially vulnerable.
St. Xavier’s College researchers discover Hemileccinum indicum mushroom in Uttarakhand oak forests (End of January) ▼
  • Researchers at St. Xavier’s College, Jharkhand, identified Hemileccinum indicum, a new mushroom species, in the oak forests of Uttarakhand at 2,600 m altitude.
  • This is the first record of the genus Hemileccinum in India.
  • DNA sequencing and electron microscopy revealed the species’ distinctive pitted spores.
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.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) records nine new species in Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary

[Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Zoological Survey of India]

Key Updates:

  • Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) scientists discovered nine new species during faunal surveys at Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary in the southern Western Ghats.
  • The surveys conducted between 2018 and 2022 documented 977 species across 21 faunal groups.
  • New species include the jumping spider Stenaelurillus megamalai, two mayflies Edmundsula meghamalaiensis, and the damselfly Protosticta sholai endemic to the Megamalai–Periyar landscape.
  • The sanctuary forms part of the 1,016 sq km Srivilliputhur–Megamalai Tiger Reserve notified in 2021.

Similar Coverage

India submits 7th National Biodiversity Report; only 2 of 23 targets on track for 2030 (Start of March) ▼
  • India submitted its 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on 05 Mar 2026.
  • Only two of the 23 national biodiversity targets—NBT1 (biodiversity-inclusive land and sea-use planning) and NBT2 (ecosystem restoration)—are clearly on track for 2030.
  • Forest and tree cover totals 827,357 sq km, 25.17% of India’s geographical area, and rose by 1,445.81 sq km between 2021 and 2023.
  • 24.1 million hectares of degraded land have been restored or are under restoration against India’s 2030 Bonn Challenge pledge of 26 million hectares.
  • India’s tiger population stands at 3,167; Asiatic lion and one-horned rhinoceros numbers are also increasing.
  • Formal protected areas cover a little over 5% of India’s geographical area; marine protected areas and OECM sites are being expanded.
  • The report was prepared by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) with inputs from 33 central ministries and technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
  • Forest carbon stock increased to 7,285.5 million tonnes, up by 81.5 million tonnes from the previous assessment.
  • Agroforestry occupies 8.65% of India’s geographical area and trees outside forests form a significant share of total tree cover.
  • Data gaps, differing collection intervals, and limited protocols for newer indicators hinder consistent biodiversity monitoring.
Tamil Nadu Forest staff deploy M-STrIPES app for tiger census in Anamalai Tiger Reserve (Start of January) ▼
  • Forest staff will use the Monitoring System for Tigers: Intensive Protection and Ecological Status (M-STrIPES) app to record census data.
  • The All India Tiger Estimation Survey 2026 in Anamalai Tiger Reserve begins Wednesday, covering 115 transect lines with over 340 staff.
  • Previous census identified 25 tigers in ATR and seven to eight shared between ATR and Parambikulam Tiger Reserve.
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve records 57 unique fishing cats in first scientific assessment. (End of February) ▼
  • Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve recorded 57 unique fishing cats in its first scientific assessment.
  • The fishing cat is listed as globally vulnerable and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
  • The assessment was conducted by Kaziranga’s Tiger Cell in collaboration with scientist Tiasa Adhya of the Fishing Cat Project using camera-trap images from previous All India Tiger Estimation exercises.
  • The findings were released on Fishing Cat Day.
  • The study sets a baseline for monitoring lesser-studied species beyond Kaziranga’s Big Five—Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, Asiatic Wild Buffalo, and Eastern Swamp Deer.
Goa becomes second Indian state to publish comprehensive Bird Atlas (Start of February) ▼
  • Goa has become the second state in India, after Kerala, to publish a comprehensive state-level bird atlas.
  • The Bird Atlas of Goa was released during the ninth Bird Festival of Goa, which was formally inaugurated at Valpoi.
  • The ninth edition of the bird festival was organised under the theme Majestic Mhadei.
  • A publication titled Birds of Goa: Konkani Nomenclature – Olakh Suknayanchi was released to popularise avifauna documentation in the local language.
  • The Goa Forest Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ResQ Charitable Trust to enhance wildlife rescue and rehabilitation coordination across the state.
  • Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary of Forests, C Candavelou, served as the chief guest for the festival inauguration.

New earthworm species Drawida vazhania discovered in Kerala’s Western Ghats

[Kerala]

Key Updates:

  • Researchers identified the new earthworm species Drawida vazhania from the Vazhani dam area of the Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary in Thrissur district, Kerala.
  • Drawida vazhania belongs to the genus Drawida and the family Moniligastridae, and the discovery has been published in the journal Zootaxa.
  • The species is a member of the Barwelli species group, raising the group’s total to seven species.
  • India hosts about 71% endemic genera and 89% endemic species of earthworms, with the Western Ghats and west coast plains accounting for 58.4% of all known Indian earthworm species.
  • With Drawida vazhania, India now has 83 reported Drawida species, of which 55 occur in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot.
  • Kerala holds the highest number of Drawida species among Western Ghats states, recording 31 species including 16 endemic to the state.

Similar Coverage

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovers two new polychaete worm species in Bay of Bengal (Start of February) ▼
  • Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) researchers identified two new marine worm species, Namalycastis solenotognatha and Nereis dhritiae, in Digha and Bankiput regions of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal.
  • Namalycastis solenotognatha inhabits sulfide-rich, foul-smelling mudflats and decomposing mangrove wood, and possesses a channeled jaw structure with multiple pulp-cavity canals.
  • Nereis dhritiae was found inside wooden dock piles on sandy beaches submerged at high tide and is named after ZSI’s first woman director Dhriti Banerjee.
  • Both species tolerate heavy human activity and industrial pollution, highlighting their resilience and potential as bioindicators for monitoring coastal health.
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.
CUSAT-led team establishes new genus and species of microscopic crustacean from Kavaratti lagoon (End of January) ▼
  • The crustacean belongs to the family Laophontidae within the Copepoda class.
  • Named Indiaphonte bijoyi, the generic name honours India and the species name commemorates S. Bijoy Nandan, Dean, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT).
  • Females range from 518 to 772 micrometres in body length; males from 508 to 756 micrometres.
  • As meiofauna, these organisms produce omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA essential for fish and shellfish growth and human nutrition.
  • Harpacticoid copepods serve as reliable bio-indicators of pollution, oil spills, heavy metals and climate change.
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.

Kimi Antonelli wins maiden Formula One Chinese Grand Prix

[China]

Key Updates:

  • Kimi Antonelli claimed his first Formula One victory in the Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit.
  • Mercedes secured a one-two finish with George Russell second, 5.515 seconds behind Antonelli.
  • Lewis Hamilton finished third, marking his first podium for Ferrari.
  • Antonelli became the youngest pole-sitter in Formula One history before converting it into victory.
  • Both McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri failed to start the race due to car problems.
  • Max Verstappen retired on lap 46, continuing Red Bull’s poor start to the season.
  • Charles Leclerc finished fourth for Ferrari, followed by Oliver Bearman fifth for Haas.

Similar Coverage

George Russell wins 2026 Australian Grand Prix for Mercedes (Start of March) ▼
  • George Russell (No. 63 Mercedes) won the season-opening 2026 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
  • Russell secured pole position and led a Mercedes 1-2 finish with teammate Kimi Antonelli (No. 12) in second place.
  • Charles Leclerc (No. 16 Ferrari) finished third after Ferrari’s strategy error.
  • Oscar Piastri (No. 81 McLaren) crashed 40 minutes before the start after hitting a curb and did not start the race.
  • The Mercedes power-unit, under scrutiny from rival teams, remains legal and powered Russell to victory.

National Vaccination Day observed on 16 March with theme 'Immunisation for All is Humanly Possible'

Key Updates:

  • National Vaccination Day is observed every year on 16 March in India.
  • The theme for 2026 is 'Immunisation for All is Humanly Possible'.
  • The day commemorates 16 March 1995 when the first dose of oral polio vaccine was given under the Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme.
  • India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) is one of the world’s largest public health initiatives providing free vaccines to children and pregnant women.

Similar Coverage

Nationwide HPV Vaccination Drive for 14-year-old girls launched (Start of March) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer, Rajasthan.
  • The campaign uses a single-dose 'Gardasil 4' quadrivalent HPV vaccine.
  • The vaccine protects against HPV types 16, 18, 6, and 11.
  • The Union Health Ministry directed all states on 25 February to administer the vaccine at government health facilities including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Community Health Centres, sub-district and district hospitals, and government medical colleges and hospitals.
National HPV Vaccination Drive for Cervical Cancer Prevention (End of February) ▼
  • The Union Health Ministry will launch a special HPV vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls later this month.
  • During the first 90 days girls aged 14 years as per their date of birth can receive the single-dose MSD Gardasil vaccine free at government health centres.
  • After the initial 90-day campaign girls aged 14 years can book vaccination slots through the U-win portal at their nearest health and wellness centre.
  • The drive will cover 1.15 crore girls who turn 14 each year.
  • GAVI vaccine alliance is supplying 2.6 crore doses of Gardasil to India of which 1 crore doses have already arrived.
  • The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is continuing studies on a one-dose regimen using the indigenous Serum Institute of India (SII) Cervavac vaccine.
National Safety Day 2026 observed on March 4 with theme 'Engage, Educate & Empower People to Enhance Safety' (Start of March) ▼
  • National Safety Day 2026 is observed on 4 March.
  • The 2026 theme is 'Engage, Educate & Empower People to Enhance Safety'.
  • The day commemorates the founding of the National Safety Council (NSC) of India on 4 March 1966.
  • National Safety Day was first observed in 1972.
  • The campaign has been extended to the entire month as National Safety Month (NSM) in 2026.
National Safety Day 2026 observed on March 4 under theme 'Engage, Educate & Empower People to Enhance Safety'. (Start of March) ▼
  • National Safety Day 2026 is observed on 4 March 2026 to commemorate the founding of the National Safety Council (NSC).
  • The 2026 theme is 'Engage, Educate & Empower People to Enhance Safety'.
  • The year 2026 marks the 55th National Safety Week and nearly six decades of NSC efforts in workplace safety, occupational health, and environmental conservation.
  • Celebrations have been extended to the entire month, now recognised as National Safety Day (NSD) / National Safety Month (NSM).
  • National Safety Council of India (NSC) was founded on 4 March 1966.
  • National Safety Day was first officially observed in 1972.

96th Academy Awards (2026 Oscars) held at Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles

[United States]

Key Updates:

  • Best Picture winner: 'One Battle After Another'.
  • Best Director winner: Paul Thomas Anderson for 'One Battle After Another'.
  • Best Actor winner: Michael B. Jordan for 'Sinners'.
  • Best Actress winner: Jessie Buckley for 'Hamnet'.
  • Best Casting winner: Cassandra Kulukundis for 'One Battle After Another'; this is the first new category at the Academy Awards in 25 years.
  • Best Cinematography winner: Autumn Durald Arkapaw for 'Sinners', becoming the first woman to win this award.
  • Best International Feature winner: 'Sentimental Value' (Norway) directed by Joaquin Trier.
  • Best Documentary Short winner: 'All the Empty Rooms' based on CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman’s project.
  • Host: Conan O'Brien for the second consecutive year.
  • Announcer: Matt Berry.

Similar Coverage

Kpop Demon Hunters wins Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (Mid of March) ▼
  • Kpop Demon Hunters secured two Oscars: Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original Song.
  • Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans and producer Michelle LM Wong accepted the Best Animated Feature award.
  • Ejae accepted the Best Original Song award for Golden, the film’s breakout ballad.
  • Golden became the first K-pop song to win a Grammy last month.
98th Academy Awards (Oscars) ceremony on March 15, 2026 (Mid of March) ▼
  • 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.
83rd Golden Globe Awards held on January 11, 2026 (Mid of January) ▼
  • The 83rd Golden Globe Awards on Sunday night marked the official start to the 2026 awards season.
  • In a first, the Globes recognized achievement in podcasting — and handed the prize to 'Good Hang with Amy Poehler,' a light-hearted interview series.
  • Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) was the company that had the biggest night, winning top awards for 'One Battle After Another,' 'Sinners,' 'The Pitt' and 'Hacks'.
  • Timothée Chalamet scored his first Golden Globe for his lead role as a fiercely ambitious table tennis player in 'Marty Supreme'.
  • Paul Thomas Anderson’s film 'One Battle After Another' won four trophies: best musical/comedy, best director, best screenplay, and best supporting actress (Teyana Taylor).
  • The medical procedural 'The Pitt' won two marquee awards: best drama series and best drama series actor for Noah Wyle.
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.

Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025 announced on 16 March

Key Updates:

  • Sahitya Akademi announced its 2025 awards on 16 March 2026 for 24 Indian languages.
  • The award ceremony will be held in New Delhi on 31 March 2026.
  • Each awardee receives an engraved copper plaque, a shawl and ₹1,00,000.
  • Navtej Sarna won the English award for his novel ‘Crimson Spring’ set around the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
  • Mamta Kalia won the Hindi award for her memoir ‘Jeete Jee Allahabad’.
  • Nandini Sidha Reddy won the Telugu award for poetry collection ‘Animesha’.

Similar Coverage

Ministry of Ayush invites applications for Prime Minister’s Awards for Yoga-2026 (End of February) ▼
  • The Ministry of Ayush has invited applications for the Prime Minister’s Awards for Yoga-2026 to recognise exemplary contributions to the development and promotion of Yoga at national and international levels.
  • Each award comprises a trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹25 lakh.
  • The awards are conferred in two primary categories: Individuals (National and International) and Institutions (National and International).
  • Applications for the awards must be submitted through the National Awards Portal (www.awards.gov.in).
  • The final date for the submission of applications is 21 March 2026.
  • The felicitation ceremony for the award winners will coincide with the International Yoga Conference.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to organise BHASHINI Samudaye Workshop (Mid of January) ▼
  • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will organise the BHASHINI Samudaye workshop, Strengthening India’s Language AI Ecosystem, in New Delhi.
  • BHASHINI Samudaye is a BHASHINI-led collaborative initiative that brings together language experts, academic institutions, civil society organisations, and data practitioners to co-create, govern, and scale language AI solutions for India.
  • The workshop will feature focused sessions on scaling BHASHINI, including discussions on platform capabilities, strategic priorities, and pathways for collaboration with stakeholders and implementation partners.
Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu Classical Language Literary Award carries Rs 5 lakh cash prize (Mid of January) ▼
  • The Tamil Nadu government will institute annual literary awards named 'Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu Classical Language Literary Award' for best works in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odiya, Bengali and Marathi.
  • Each award carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh and will be given every year.
  • Selection will be entrusted to independent experts through language-specific committees of reputed writers to ensure quality and transparency.
Banaras Lit Fest announces Book Awards 2026; Namita Gokhale gets Lifetime Achievement Award (End of January) ▼
  • Banaras Lit Fest announced winners of the second Banaras Lit Fest Book Awards 2026 in New Delhi.
  • Bhartendu Harishchandra Lifetime Achievement Award conferred on writer and cultural curator Namita Gokhale.
  • Announcement made at the outreach and curtain-raiser event at Hi-Tech Institute of Engineering & Technology, Delhi NCR.
  • Awards recognise excellence in fiction, poetry, non-fiction and translation across English, Hindi and Indian languages.
  • Each category award carries ₹51,000, citation and trophy; Lifetime Achievement Award carries ₹1 lakh.
  • Awards to be presented during Banaras Lit Fest from January 30 to February 1, 2026, at Hotel Taj, Banaras.
  • Gokhale honoured for contributions to writing, publishing and cultural dialogue across generations.
  • Festival President Deepak Madhok said the awards have emerged as a credible literary benchmark.
  • Founder Brijesh Singh announced the introduction of a Youth Award category.
  • Gomati Devi Eminence Awards 2026 announced for contributions to nation-building across sectors.

98th Academy Awards (Oscars) held on March 16, 2026

Key Updates:

  • The 98th Academy Awards (Oscars) recorded a tie in the Best Live-Action Short Film category for the first time in 14 years.
  • The Oscar for Best Live-Action Short Film was shared by Two People Exchanging Saliva and The Singers.
  • Two People Exchanging Saliva was co-directed by Franco-Indian artist Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata.
  • Alexandre Singh was born in Bordeaux, France, to Indian and French parents and has works represented in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
  • The Singers, directed by Sam Davis, is a film adaptation of a 19th-century short story written by Ivan Turgenev.

Similar Coverage

Amol Palekar to be Honoured with Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) Lifetime Achievement Award 2026 (Mid of March) ▼
  • Veteran actor and filmmaker Amol Palekar will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 21st edition of META in New Delhi.
  • The 21st edition of the festival, instituted by the Mahindra Group and produced by Teamwork Arts, will be held from 19 March to 25 March 2026.
  • The jury panel for the 2026 awards includes Amal Allana, Anuradha Kapur, Rajit Kapur, Satish Alekar, and Ila Arun.
  • The festival received a record 422 submissions from over 20 states and 100 cities, featuring productions in nearly 60 languages and dialects.
  • Ten productions have been shortlisted to compete in 13 categories at venues including Kamani Auditorium and Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts.
  • The competitive categories include Best Production, Best Director, Best Stage Design, Best Light Design, Best Sound & Music Design, Best Costume Design, Best Actor in a Lead Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Original Script, Best Ensemble, and Best Choreographer.
  • Amol Palekar is recognised for his work in Hindi cinema during the 1970s, including films such as Chhoti Si Baat, Chitchor, Bhumika, Baaton Baaton Mein, and Gol Maal.
  • He is also noted for expanding the reach of theatre by performing in alternative spaces such as parks, terraces, canteens, and garages.
Park Chan-wook named president of jury for 79th Cannes Film Festival. (End of February) ▼
  • South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook will preside over the 79th Cannes Film Festival scheduled for 12-23 May 2026.
  • He becomes the first Korean and the third Asian to serve as Cannes jury president, after Japan’s Tetsurō Furukaki in 1962 and Hong Kong’s Wong Kar-wai in 2006.
  • Park has premiered four films in Competition at Cannes: Oldboy (2004), Thirst (2009), The Handmaiden (2016), and Decision to Leave (2022).
  • His Cannes accolades include the Grand Jury Prize for Oldboy, the Jury Prize for Thirst, and Best Director for Decision to Leave.
  • Festival President Iris Knobloch and Director Thierry Frémaux praised his inventiveness and visual mastery in the announcement.
Sidharth Bharathan won Best Supporting Actor at 55th Kerala State Film Awards. (End of January) ▼
  • Sidharth Bharathan received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 2024 black-and-white horror fantasy film 'Bramayugam'.
  • The 55th Kerala State Film Awards were presented by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday, 25 January 2026.
  • In 'Bramayugam', Sidharth Bharathan played the cook who serves the demonic entity Chathan portrayed by Mammootty.
  • Bharathan described the film as 'an epoch leap' in his understanding of acting and filmmaking.
BAFTA Awards 2026 nominations announced on January 27, 2026 (End of January) ▼
  • The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) announced the nominations for the 2026 BAFTA awards on January 27, 2026.
  • The 79th BAFTA awards ceremony will be held on February 22, 2026, at London's Royal Festival Hall.
  • Manipuri film 'Boong' has been nominated in the Best Children's and Family Film category.
  • 'Boong' is directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and produced by Excel Entertainment, the production house of Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani.
  • The film premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and was named the Spotlight Film at the 2025 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.
  • Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another' leads with 14 nominations, and Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners' has 13 nominations.
  • Scottish actor Alan Cumming will host the 2026 BAFTA awards ceremony.

Gajapati Dynasty Inscriptions Discovery: 14 March 2026

Key Updates:

  • A 15th-century Telugu medieval inscription belonging to the Gajapati rulers of Odisha was discovered at the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.
  • The inscription identifies Kumaraguru Mahapatra as a steward officer serving under the Gajapati King Purushottama Deva.
  • The stone pillars containing the inscriptions were originally situated at the Kondaveedu Fort before being moved to Guntur.
  • The text provides instructions for ritual milk offerings and mentions pastoral communities, potentially the Koyas, for the custody of ritual cows.
  • Epigraphist Bishnu Mohan Adhikari stated that the findings reflect the Hari-Hara mode of worship, which integrated Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions.
  • A related Odia inscription at Kondaveedu records officer Srichandana Mahapatra donating Panapasa village for the Amruta Manohi Seva ritual.

Similar Coverage

India to Send Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka for Public Exposition from 4 February 2026 (Start of February) ▼
  • The Holy Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha, currently enshrined at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, will be taken to Sri Lanka for a public exposition in Colombo from 4 to 10 February 2026.
  • The relics will be transported with full state honours aboard a special aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
  • A high-level Indian delegation led by the Governor of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, and the Deputy Chief Minister (CM) of Gujarat, Harsh Sanghavi, will accompany the sacred relics.
  • The relics will be enshrined for public veneration at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, a significant Buddhist institution in Sri Lanka.
  • The Devnimori Relics originate from an archaeological site near Shamlaji in the Aravalli district of Gujarat, first explored in 1957 by Prof. S N Chowdhry.
  • The relic casket is made of green schist and features inscriptions in Brahmi Script and Sanskrit language reading dashabala sharira nilaya, meaning the abode of the Buddha’s bodily relic.
  • The casket contains a copper box with organic material including holy ashes, silk cloth, and beads.
  • According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), India has previously conducted similar expositions in Thailand, Mongolia, Vietnam, the Russian Federation, and Bhutan.
Yadava-era stone pillar remains found in Hinganghat on February 22, 2026 (Start of March) ▼
  • Researchers discovered remains of a 12th-century Yadava-era temple-style stone pillar near the Vena river banks in Hinganghat, Wardha district.
  • The stone fragments are carved from locally available black basalt and feature an intricate lotus motif.
  • The carvings are identified as the Hemadpanti architectural style, which was prevalent in 12th and 13th-century temples.
  • The Hemadpanti style is characterised by a stone interlocking technique that does not involve the use of lime.
  • Researchers have been advised to approach the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for the scientific preservation and detailed survey of the historical remains.
IIT (ISM) Dhanbad hosts three-day national conference on Ancient Indian Text, Science and Technology. (End of February) ▼
  • The three-day national conference on “Ancient Indian Text, Science and Technology” commenced on Wednesday at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.
  • The conference is sponsored by the Indian Council of Philosophical Research and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
  • It is jointly organised by the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems and the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.
  • The inaugural session was held at the Golden Jubilee Lecture Theatre on campus.
  • CD Sebastian of IIT Bombay delivered the chief guest lecture on “Sānkhya Thought and Modern Science.”
  • Swami Kripamayanand Avadhut was the guest of honour and spoke on the complementary relationship between spirituality and science in Indian traditions.
  • The conference will continue till February 27 with parallel sessions and a cultural programme.
2,000-year-old Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions discovered inside Egypt’s Valley of the Kings royal tombs (Mid of February) ▼
  • Approximately 30 Tamil-Brahmi and Prakrit inscriptions dated to 2,000 years ago were documented inside six rock-cut royal tombs in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings.
  • The inscriptions were recorded by Professor Ingo Strauch of the University of Lausanne and Professor Charlotte Schmid of the French School of Asian Studies.
  • The name ‘Cikai Korran’ appears in eight locations, with one inscription reading ‘Cikai Korran vara kanta’ meaning ‘Cikai Korran came and saw’.
  • The discovery confirms that ancient Tamil traders travelled beyond Egyptian port cities and visited inland heritage sites during the early historic period.
  • The findings were presented on 11 February at the International Conference on Tamil Epigraphy organised by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology in Chennai.
  • Tamil Nadu accounts for nearly 30,000 documented inscriptions in India, providing an unbroken historical record from the 6th century BCE.