Daily Current Affairs: 18 March 2026

Jasprit Bumrah joined Uniqlo as brand ambassador for India.

[Uniqlo]

Key Updates:

• Uniqlo announced Jasprit Bumrah as its brand endorser in India.
• The partnership launched with a campaign featuring Bumrah that highlights Uniqlo’s LifeWear philosophy.
• The campaign is live across digital, social media, in-store displays and outdoor platforms.
• Nidhi Rastogi, Marketing Director of Uniqlo India, welcomed Bumrah to the Uniqlo family.

Arun Mammen re-elected as Chairman of Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA).

[Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association]

Key Updates:

• Arun Mammen, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of MRF Ltd, was re-elected as Chairman of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA).
• Rajarshi Moitra, Managing Director of Bridgestone India Pvt Ltd, was appointed Vice Chairman of ATMA.
• Sanjay Chatterjee will succeed Rajiv Budhraja as Director General of ATMA on 31 March 2026.
• ATMA, established in 1975, represents India’s over $12 billion automotive tyre industry.
• ATMA member companies account for more than 80 per cent of India’s tyre production.
• India exports tyres worth around $250–260 million annually to West Asia.
• ATMA warned that the West Asia crisis could disrupt exports, raise raw material costs, and strain logistics.
• Crude derivatives constitute 60–70 per cent of tyre manufacturing input costs.

Uttarakhand health department readies 17-bed hospital at Kedarnath for Char Dham Yatra.

[Uttarakhand]

Key Updates:

• Uttarakhand health department will operationalise a 17-bed hospital at Kedarnath before the Char Dham Yatra starting on 22 April.
• Director general of health and family welfare Dr Sunita Tamta stated that nearly 90% of the facility is ready and equipment has been installed.
• About 400 medical graduates will be deployed along the yatra route across Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi and Chamoli districts covering Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines.
• Around 229 specialist doctors from the health department, government medical colleges and private institutes will serve on a rotational, fortnightly basis during the yatra period.
• Last year approximately 159 pilgrims died from health-related issues, mainly cardiac arrest and high-altitude conditions, with most casualties reported at Kedarnath followed by Yamunotri.
• Health minister Dhan Singh Rawat announced deployment of 177 ambulances including road, air and water units, 25 medical relief posts and 33 health screening points along the route.

Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 showcases tribal art, culture and cuisine in Delhi.

Key Updates:

• Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 will be held from 18 to 30 March 2026 at Sunder Nursery in Delhi.
• Public entry starts on 19 March 2026; 18 March is reserved for special invitees.
• The festival will feature over 200 stalls and more than 1,000 artisans from tribal communities across India.
• An International Pavilion will display global indigenous crafts and enable cultural exchanges.
• A 14-day Tribal Business Conclave will include nine thematic sessions on textiles, tourism, entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Amitabh Kant will participate in a fireside chat on innovation and tribal enterprise development.

Sina Ruppenthal set Guinness World Record for lifting and throwing 10 men in 37.44 seconds.

[Guinness World Records]

Key Updates:

• Sina Ruppenthal lifted and threw 10 men in 37.44 seconds on the TV show Die große Show der Weltrekorde in Munich in August 2025.
• She is an elite German strongwoman, athlete, and sports scientist ranked as the fourth strongest natural woman in the world.
• Guinness World Records shared clips of her record-breaking performance.
• She holds several German records in strength sports.

Ministry of Commerce signs terms of reference to launch PTA with Philippines and FTA with Maldives

[Philippines, Maldives]

Key Updates:

• India signed terms of reference with the Philippines for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and with the Maldives for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
• India’s exports to the Philippines rose 3.11 per cent to USD 2.16 billion in 2024-25, while imports dipped 17.8 per cent to USD 1.17 billion.
• India’s exports to the Maldives dipped 37.11 per cent to USD 56.88 million in 2024-25, while imports rose 37.14 per cent to USD 118.82 million.
• The AITIGA Joint Committee has met 11 times; the next review meeting is scheduled for 30-31 March 2026.
• India-Korea CEPA review began in 2016 and has completed 11 negotiation rounds, the latest in Seoul in July 2024.
• India has ongoing trade negotiations with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Canada, Australia, Sri Lanka, Peru, Chile, Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and Israel.
• India signed FTAs with the UK and Oman last year and announced completion of negotiations with the EU and New Zealand.

Ministry of Commerce (MoC) records $27.10 billion merchandise trade deficit for February 2026

Key Updates:

• India’s merchandise trade deficit widened to $27.10 billion in February 2026, compared with $14.42 billion in the same month of the previous year.
• Merchandise exports for February 2026 stood at $36.61 billion, while imports were recorded at $63.71 billion.
• The cumulative merchandise exports for the April–February 2025–26 period reached $402.93 billion, marking a 1.84% increase from $395.66 billion in the corresponding period last year.
• The trade deficit for February 2026 narrowed from the $34.68 billion deficit recorded in January 2026.
• Trade Secretary Rajesh Agrawal stated that exports to West Asia have been impacted by regional conflict and the government is considering support measures for Middle East exports.
• India has increased its procurement of Russian oil this month to manage volatility in global energy markets.
• Potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could impact approximately half of India’s monthly imports, particularly oil and energy-linked shipments.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) Reports India Unemployment Rate at 4.9% in February 2026

[Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation]

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data for February 2026.
• India’s overall unemployment rate eased to 4.9% in February from 5% in January, based on the Current Weekly Status (CWS).
• The female unemployment rate declined to 5.1% in February from 5.6% in January, while the male unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.8%.
• Urban unemployment dropped to 6.6% from 7% in the previous month, while the rural unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%.
• Youth unemployment in the 15-29 years age group rose slightly to 14.8% in February from 14.7% in January.
• The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) remained unchanged at 55.9%, with female LFPR increasing to 35.3% from 35.1%.
• The Worker Population Ratio (WPR), or employment rate, rose to 53.2% in February compared with 53.1% in January.
• The survey covered 89,333 households and 374,879 individuals across rural and urban areas to track employment activity.

Government of India (GoI) reports Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation at 2.13% for February

Key Updates:

• The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) based inflation rose to an 11-month high of 2.13% in February, compared to 1.81% in January and 0.96% in December.
• Manufactured products, which carry the largest weight in the WPI basket, saw inflation rise to 2.92% in February from 2.86% in January.
• Inflation in primary articles, including agricultural commodities and minerals, increased to 3.27% in February from 2.21% in January.
• Food inflation grew to 1.85% in February as compared to a 1.41% gain recorded in January.
• Fuel and power inflation remained in negative territory at -3.78% in February, though the index for this category rose 1.17% on a month-on-month basis.
• Crude petroleum and natural gas prices rose by 4.17% during the month, while non-food articles increased by 0.83%.
• India’s retail inflation for February was recorded at 3.21% prior to the impact of the West Asia conflict.

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) eases FDI rules for firms with up to 10% Chinese shareholding.

[Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade]

Key Updates:

• Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) notified that overseas companies with Chinese shareholding up to 10% can invest in India through the automatic route, subject to sectoral limits and conditions.
• The relaxation does not apply to entities incorporated in China, Hong Kong or other countries sharing land borders with India.
• Earlier, foreign firms with any shareholding link to such nations required mandatory government approval for investments across sectors.
• The term 'beneficial owner' will carry the same meaning as defined under Section 2(1)(fa) of the Prevention of Money-laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
• Under PMLA rules, controlling ownership interest refers to entitlement to more than 10% of shares, capital or profits in a company.
• Investments from entities having any direct or indirect ownership link with citizens or firms from land-bordering nations will have to follow additional reporting requirements under the standard operating procedure prescribed by DPIIT.
• The decision to ease the norms was cleared by the Union Cabinet last week.
• The government had earlier tightened the FDI policy through Press Note 3 (2020) on April 17, 2020, to prevent opportunistic takeovers of Indian companies during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• DPIIT indicated that proposals for FDI from these countries in specified sectors will be considered under an expedited approval mechanism with a 60-day timeline.
• Countries sharing land borders with India include China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar and Afghanistan.
• China currently ranks 23rd in FDI equity inflows into India, accounting for 0.32% share, or USD 2.51 billion, between April 2000 and December 2025.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) revises India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) base year to 2022–23

[Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation]

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has updated the base year for India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 2011–12 to 2022–23.
• The updated GDP series was officially released on 27 February 2026 and utilises the National Industrial Classification (NIC)-2025 for expanded coverage of economic activities.
• The base year for the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) has also been revised to 2022–23 to reflect the current industrial structure and manufacturing output.
• The Consumer Price Index (CPI) 2024 series now employs Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) for digital data collection through handheld devices.
• The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) system has been modernised with secure online data transmission and real-time submission of price data for improved verification.
• MoSPI has introduced nowcasting techniques to estimate current economic performance using high-frequency indicators such as GST collections, electricity consumption, and bank credit growth.
• The Economic Survey 2025–26 presents a framework that combines high-frequency indicators to estimate GDP growth in near real-time.
• Key indicators used for economic monitoring include railway freight, port cargo traffic, and the Manufacturing and Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI).

Finance Ministry (DEA) reduces minimum public shareholding for IPOs to 2.5%

[Department of Economic Affairs]

Key Updates:

• Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) notified amendments to Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules, 1957 on 13 March.
• Minimum mandated public shareholding of a listed stock reduced from 5% to 2.5%.
• Companies with post-issue capital ≤ ₹1,600 crore must offer at least 25% of each class of equity shares or debentures to the public.
• Companies with post-issue capital > ₹1,600 crore but ≤ ₹4,000 crore must offer at least a percentage equivalent to ₹400 crore.
• Companies with post-listing valuation > ₹4,000 crore but ≤ ₹50,000 crore must offer at least 10% of each share or debenture, subject to increasing public shareholding to at least 25% within three years.
• Companies with post-listing valuation > ₹50,000 crore but < ₹1 lakh crore must offer at least ₹1,000 crore and at least 8% of each share or debenture, subject to increasing public shareholding to at least 25% within three years.
• Companies with post-listing valuation > ₹1 lakh crore but ≤ ₹5 lakh crore must offer at least 2.75% of each share or debenture, subject to achieving specified timelines.
• Companies with post-listing valuation > ₹5 lakh crore must offer at least 1% of each share or debenture if public shareholding at listing is <15%, increasing to at least 15% within five years and 25% within ten years.
• Amendment clears the way for Reliance-owned Jio Platform and National Stock Exchange IPOs.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposes ₹2.70 lakh penalty on Manappuram Finance

[Reserve Bank of India, Manappuram Finance]

Key Updates:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹2.70 lakh on Manappuram Finance.
• The penalty was levied for non-compliance with RBI guidelines regarding the compensation of Key Managerial Personnel (KMP).
• The company violated norms by paying the entire variable pay upfront to certain KMPs without deferring a portion of the compensation as required.
• The action followed a statutory inspection conducted by the RBI regarding the financial position of the company as of 31 March 2025.

International Finance Corporation (IFC) provides $90 million to DCM Shriram

[International Finance Corporation, DCM Shriram]

Key Updates:

• DCM Shriram will receive $90 million from International Finance Corporation (IFC) through sustainability-linked non-convertible debentures.
• IFC is the World Bank Group’s private sector arm.
• The proceeds will fund expansion of DCM Shriram’s chemicals business.

Himachal Pradesh inks three MoUs with National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to expand dairy infrastructure

[Himachal Pradesh, National Dairy Development Board]

Key Updates:

• The Himachal Pradesh government signed three MoUs with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to strengthen the state’s dairy sector and improve milk processing infrastructure.
• Two milk processing plants of 20,000 litres per day capacity each will be set up at Nahan in Sirmaur district and Nalagarh in Solan district.
• Two milk chilling centres of 20,000 litres per day capacity each will be established at Jalari in Hamirpur district and Jhalera in Una district.
• An automated milk processing plant is being developed at Dhagwar in Kangra district at a cost of ₹250 crore; it will initially process 1.5 lakh litres of milk per day with potential to expand to 3 lakh litres.
• The Dhagwar plant is expected to become operational by October.
• Himachal Pradesh became the first state to offer the highest support price for milk procurement: cow milk raised from ₹32 to ₹51 per litre and buffalo milk from ₹47 to ₹61 per litre.
• A third MoU covers implementation of enterprise resource planning software in the state dairy federation to ensure transparency and efficient management.

24 Speed Post Service Launched for Next-Day Delivery

Key Updates:

• The Department of Posts (DoP) will launch the ‘24 Speed Post’ service on March 17, 2026, to provide guaranteed next-day delivery for consignments.
• Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia and Minister of State for Communications Chandrasekhar Pemmasani will inaugurate the service in New Delhi.
• The service will initially cover six metro cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
• The DoP will also introduce the ‘48 Speed Post’ category for delivery within two days (D+2).
• The initiative includes a money-back promise in case of delays, OTP-based secure delivery, and end-to-end tracking with SMS alerts.
• Business-specific features include buy-now-pay-later (BNPL), free pickup for bulk shipments, API integration, and centralised billing.

Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 withdrawn from Lok Sabha for amendment.

Key Updates:

• The Union Government withdrew the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 from the Lok Sabha on a Tuesday.
• Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal moved the withdrawal, which the House approved by voice vote.
• The withdrawal followed recommendations from a select committee, and the bill is expected to be reintroduced after incorporating those changes.

Gujarat launches NADCP FMD vaccination drive with digital tracking

[Gujarat]

Key Updates:

• Gujarat Government launched a statewide Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination drive under the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) from March 1 to April 15.
• Animals are ear-tagged and data uploaded to the Information Network for Animal Productivity and Health (INAPH) portal for digital tracking of vaccination coverage.
• The drive targets cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats to prevent milk yield loss and economic damage to farmers.
• Vaccination is conducted twice every year in March and September as part of the NADCP strategy.

PM Modi to launch Assam Mala 3.0 road projects and PM-KISAN 22nd instalment

[Assam]

Key Updates:

• PM Modi will perform bhoomi poojan of Assam Mala 3.0 road projects worth over ₹3,200 crore in Kokrajhar district.
• Under Assam Mala 3.0 more than 900 kilometres of roads will be constructed across Assam.
• Modi will release the 22nd instalment of PM-KISAN scheme to over 9.3 crore farmers from Guwahati.
• Eligible farmers receive ₹2,000 directly into their bank accounts under PM-KISAN.

Integrated Aqua Park Project: ₹100 Crore Sanctioned for Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir.

[Jammu and Kashmir]

Key Updates:

• Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced sanction of a ₹100-crore Integrated Aqua Park Project to be established in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.
• The announcement was made during the first national conference on Cold Water Fisheries held in Srinagar.
• The Integrated Aqua Park will strengthen aquaculture infrastructure, boost cold-water fisheries development, increase fish production and create employment opportunities in the region.
• Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh and other dignitaries jointly released the Model Guidelines for Reservoir Fisheries and Aquaculture Management during the conference.
• The guidelines cover scientific seed stocking, cage- and pen-based aquaculture, leasing and governance mechanisms, biodiversity conservation, value chain linkages and monitoring systems.
• Rajiv Ranjan Singh emphasised scaling up trout production and strengthening incomes of cold-water fish farmers by enhancing productivity, improving value addition and tapping export markets.
• The Union Minister urged organising fish farmers through cooperatives and Fish Farmers Producer Organisations (FFPOs) and encouraged states and Union Territories to support farmers in accessing schemes, infrastructure and credit.
• The ₹100-crore Aqua Park sanctioned for Anantnag and funding under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) will enable local enterprises to scale up operations.
• Minister of State SP Singh Baghel highlighted the potential of India’s cold-water fisheries sector and stated that sustained government investments, including the ₹100-crore Aqua Park in Jammu and Kashmir, will serve as hubs for innovation, training, processing and aggregation.

Gaudham Yojana launched in Chhattisgarh for Cattle Conservation

[Chhattisgarh]

Key Updates:

• Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai launched the Gaudham Yojana for cattle conservation at Guru Ghasidas University in Bilaspur.
• In the first phase of the scheme, 29 Gaudhams (cattle conservation centres) have commenced operations across 11 districts of the state.
• The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the state’s first cow sanctuary at Jogipur village in the Kota development block of Bilaspur district.
• The proposed cow sanctuary will be developed over 184 acres with an initial approved budget of ₹1.32 crore and a capacity to shelter 2,500 cattle.
• All Gaudhams established on government lands in Chhattisgarh will be officially known as Surabhi Gaudham.
• The state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to promote animal husbandry and milk production.
• The scheme aims to provide shelter to stray cattle, boost the rural economy through cow dung products, and reduce cattle deaths in road accidents.

Gulf countries declare force majeure on gas exports after US-Israel war on Iran disrupts Strait of Hormuz shipping

[United States, Israel, Iran]

Key Updates:

• QatarEnergy halted gas liquefaction on 2 March, triggering global LNG market disruption.
• Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and Bahrain’s Bapco Energies declared force majeure days later.
• India invoked force majeure on 11 March to redirect gas supplies from non-priority to priority sectors.
• Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned the Strait of Hormuz is closed to shipping.
• Qatar accounts for nearly 20% of global LNG supply, intensifying market shortages and price spikes.
• US LNG exporters could gain $4bn windfall profits in the first month, rising to $108bn over eight months if disruption persists.
• Omani trading house OQ declared force majeure to a Bangladeshi customer after Qatari supply halt.

Indian Navy joins US-led Exercise Sea Dragon 2026 in Guam

[United States, Guam]

Key Updates:

• Exercise Sea Dragon 2026, a US-led multinational anti-submarine warfare drill, is under way at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.
• The two-week exercise involves P-8A Poseidon and P-8I aircraft tracking simulated and live submarine targets.
• Indian Navy has deployed one Boeing P8I maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft to the exercise.
• Participating forces include Indian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force.
• Royal Australian Air Force has committed a P-8A Poseidon aircraft and 50 aviators from the recently re-formed 12 Squadron.

India hosts BIMSTEC Young Professionals Exchange Programme in Maharashtra from 9 to 15 March 2026

[Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

• India hosted the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Young Professionals Exchange Programme in Maharashtra from 9 to 15 March 2026.
• The programme brought together 30 young innovators, technology developers, and entrepreneurs from BIMSTEC member countries.
• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the initiative aimed to promote knowledge exchange and provide exposure to India’s innovation, start-up, and research ecosystems.
• The exchange programme was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 6th BIMSTEC Summit to strengthen engagement among the youth of the Bay of Bengal region.
• Participants called on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who highlighted the state’s potential as a platform for international partnerships in technology.

IIT Guwahati develops MXene-based material for hydrogen fuel and solar-powered seawater desalination

Key Updates:

• Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) have created a novel MXene-based material that efficiently produces hydrogen fuel with very low energy input.
• The same material also supports solar-powered seawater desalination, offering a dual-function catalyst for clean energy and safe drinking water.
• The innovation demonstrates strong potential for sustainable and commercial applications.

Rare gynandromorphic Vela carli crab discovered in Silent Valley, Kerala.

[Kerala]

Key Updates:

• The freshwater crab species Vela carli was found exhibiting both male and female traits in Silent Valley National Park, Kerala.
• Researchers from MES Mampad College, Kerala conducted the study that documented this rare case of gynandromorphy.
• Scientists Dr. K.S. Anoop Das and K.T. Fahis from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) identified the crab during routine fieldwork inside a tree cavity.
• Gynandromorphy in this crab results from an early cell-division error, causing different body parts to develop as male and female rather than creating a functional hermaphrodite.

Ancient rock carvings discovered in Manchirevula rock shelter by Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam (KTCB) and Climate Front Telangana researchers.

[Telangana]

Key Updates:

• Two petroglyphs carved on a flat rock slab located about 50 feet high inside a rock shelter behind Beerappa Temple in Manchirevula.
• One carving shows prongs with sharpened tips above a circle and a handle-like shape, interpreted as a trident-circle motif.
• Researchers state the trident-circle petroglyph resembles the ‘Paanch’ (hand/palm) of the ‘Peeri’ carried during Muharram processions.
• A second carving depicts the traditional indoor strategy game Daadi Aata, played with 9 pieces (kaayalu), similar to Nine Men's Morris.
• A comparable Daadi Aata carving exists on Golankonda hill in Alair mandal.

New gudgeon goby fish species Butis bargabhimae discovered in West Bengal’s Rupnarayan River

[West Bengal]

Key Updates:

• Scientists from Tamralipta Mahavidyalaya and Vidyasagar University identified the new estuarine fish species Butis bargabhimae in the Rupnarayan River near Tamluk, West Bengal.
• Fieldwork and specimen collection took place between June 2022 and August 2024, yielding seven specimens with traditional hand nets and trawl nets by local fishermen.
• The species is distinguished by interorbital scales between the eyes, auxiliary scales across the body, and light-and-dark bands on the pectoral fins, plus DNA similarity of only 86% to its nearest relatives.
• The specific epithet bargabhimae honours the local Hindu deity Bargabhima, linking the region’s biodiversity to its cultural heritage.
• DNA comparisons revealed that several fish earlier recorded from Bangladesh and other parts of India had been misidentified and likely belong to the new species or its close relatives.

Sentynl Therapeutics licenses Progerinin for Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome treatment

Key Updates:

• Sentynl Therapeutics Inc. (Sentynl), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zydus Lifesciences Limited (Zydus), has entered into an agreement with Korean company PRG S&T to license the investigational molecule Progerinin (SLC-D011).
• Progerinin (SLC-D011) is an orally active small-molecule drug candidate being developed to treat Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), a rare genetic disorder characterised by accelerated ageing in children.
• The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated Progerinin (SLC-D011) as an orphan drug.
• The molecule is designed to inhibit the interaction of progerin, an abnormal form of the lamin A protein produced by mutations in the LMNA gene that disrupts nuclear structure.
• The clinical programme is currently finalising a Phase 2A trial, with data results expected before the end of the first half of 2026.
• Currently, Zokinvy (lonafarnib) is the only approved treatment for HGPS and certain processing-deficient Progeroid Laminopathies in the United States, European Union, Great Britain, Israel, and Japan.
• In mouse models of HGPS, Progerinin demonstrated an increase in lifespan by 8 to 10 weeks and improved body weight compared to untreated control groups.

Scientists discover new class of magma ocean liquid planets using James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

[James Webb Space Telescope]

Key Updates:

• Scientists have identified a new category of exoplanets known as magma ocean worlds, which exist in a permanent molten state.
• The discovery, detailed in the journal Nature Astronomy, was made using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
• The primary example of this new class is L 98-59 d, located approximately 35 light-years away from Earth.
• L 98-59 d has a radius approximately 1.63 times larger and a mass 1.64 times that of Earth.
• The planet's surface temperature reaches approximately 1,900°C, and it is enveloped in a thick atmosphere rich in hydrogen sulfide.
• The molten state is maintained by a runaway greenhouse effect and tidal heating caused by the gravitational pull of neighbouring planets.
• The planet orbits a small red star and features a mantle composed of molten silicate with a likely molten core.

CSIR-NCL Pune develops indigenous Dimethyl Ether technology as LPG alternative

[Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - National Chemical Laboratory]

Key Updates:

• Scientists at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) in Pune have created a patent-protected process to produce Dimethyl Ether (DME) from methanol using a cost-effective catalyst.
• The Bureau of Indian Standards allows up to 20 per cent DME blending with LPG under standard IS 18698:2024, and up to 8 per cent blending needs no change in existing LPG cylinders, regulators, hoses or burners.
• India imported nearly 21 million tonnes of LPG in 2024; replacing 8 per cent with DME could save around ₹9,500 crore in foreign exchange annually.
• The pilot plant scales 250 kg per day, and an industrial demonstration plant of 2.5 tonnes per day is planned within six to nine months.
• A patented burner prototype developed by CSIR-NCL can operate from 100 per cent LPG to 100 per cent DME and was tested at the LPG Equipment Research Centre in Bengaluru.

India submits first Nagoya Protocol implementation report to Convention on Biological Diversity

Key Updates:

• India filed its first national report on Nagoya Protocol implementation with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity on 27 February 2026.
• The report covers implementation from 1 November 2017 to 31 December 2025 and fulfills monitoring obligations under Article 29 of the protocol.
• India’s access and benefit sharing framework operates under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, supported by the Biological Diversity Rules, 2024, and the Access and Benefit Sharing Regulations, 2025.
• More than 276,653 Biodiversity Management Committees have been established nationwide to support biodiversity governance and benefit sharing with local communities.
• Between 2017 and 2025, India issued 12,830 approvals under its access and benefit sharing framework, with 5,913 granted by the National Biodiversity Authority and 6,917 by State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils.
• India published 3,556 Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance on the Access and Benefit Sharing Clearing-House, representing over 60 percent of the global total under the Nagoya Protocol.
• The National Biodiversity Authority mobilised ₹216.31 crore and distributed ₹139.69 crore to benefit claimers including Biodiversity Management Committees, farmers, local communities, and holders of traditional knowledge.
• State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils generated ₹51.96 crore through approvals granted to Indian entities.
• Non-monetary outcomes under 395 approvals included training, technology transfer, collaborative research, and capacity-building initiatives.
• The National Biodiversity Authority received 41 declarations in Form 10 related to the use of foreign biological resources under Rule 18 of the Biological Diversity Rules, 2024, and Section 36A of the Biological Diversity Act.
• A total of 256,393 individuals participated in 3,724 workshops and programmes, with over 600 additional initiatives supporting biodiversity governance across the country.

Kalinga Stadium hosts National Para Athletics Championship

Key Updates:

• The National Para Athletics Championship is scheduled to be held at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar from 19 March to 21 March.
• A total of 1,460 para-athletes representing 28 states, the Border Security Force (BSF), and the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) will compete in 145 medal events.
• The tournament is organised by the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) in collaboration with the Sports & Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha, and the Para Sports Association of Odisha.
• The championship serves as a selection platform for the upcoming Asian Para Games to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 18 October to 24 October.
• Notable participants include triple Paralympic medallist Mariyappan Thangavelu and double Paralympic gold medallist Sumit Antil, who recently threw 69.25m in the men’s Javelin throw (F43/F44/F64).
• Other prominent athletes in the event include Navdeep Singh (F41), Praveen Kumar (T64), Preethi Pal, Shailesh Kumar, Yogesh Kathuniya, Dharambir, and Pranav Soorma.
• Defending champions Haryana will field the largest contingent in this edition of the championship.
• The Odisha contingent comprises 40 athletes led by Suchitra Parida, the national record holder in the F55 Javelin throw event.
• The event will be inaugurated by Suryabanshi Suraj, the Minister for Sports and Youth Services of Odisha.

Mayank Chakraborty becomes India’s 94th Chess Grandmaster

Key Updates:

• Mayank Chakraborty secured his final GM norm by defeating Philip Lindgren in the eighth round of the Hotel Stockholm North by First Hotels Young Talents tournament in Sweden.
• He won the tournament with a score of 7.0/9 and a rating performance of 2670, finishing one point ahead of the field.
• The 16-year-old from Assam became the first player from the NorthEast region to achieve Grandmaster status.
• His live rating rose to 2508 after the event.
• England’s Jonah Willow B and Norway’s Aksel Bu Kvaloy finished second and third respectively.

Sarfaraz Ahmed retires from international cricket after 100-match captaincy stint

[Pakistan]

Key Updates:

• Sarfaraz Ahmed announced retirement from international cricket on Sunday after captaining Pakistan in 100 international matches across formats.
• He led Pakistan to the ICC Champions Trophy title in 2017 by defeating India in the final.
• Sarfaraz captained Pakistan to 11 consecutive T20 series victories including clean sweeps against West Indies, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand and Scotland.
• He scored 6,164 runs across formats with six centuries and 35 half-centuries in 54 Tests, 117 ODIs and 61 T20Is.
• As wicketkeeper he took 315 catches and effected 56 stumpings, and holds Pakistan record of 10 catches in a Test match against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2019.
• He is the only Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter to score an ODI century at Lord’s, achieved against England in 2016.
• His last international appearance was against Australia in a Test match at Perth in 2023.

Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden opens in Srinagar on March 16, 2026

[Jammu and Kashmir]

Key Updates:

• Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah inaugurated the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar on March 16, 2026.
• The garden is situated at the foothills of the Zabarwan Mountains near Dal Lake and is recognised as the largest tulip garden in Asia.
• For the 2026 season, nearly 18 lakh tulips representing more than 70 varieties have been planted across the garden.
• The garden also features approximately one lakh other bulbous flowers, including daffodils, hyacinths, and narcissus.
• The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden was established in 2007 and has since become a major tourist attraction in the Kashmir Valley.
• The opening of the garden marks the arrival of the spring season and the commencement of the tourism season in the region.

World Social Work Day observed on the third Tuesday in March; observed on March 17

Key Updates:

• World Social Work Day is observed annually on the third Tuesday in March to recognise the contributions of social workers and social justice advocates.
• The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) first established the observance in 1983.
• The International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) later joined the IFSW to make the event a worldwide observance.
• The day is currently celebrated in over 140 countries through conferences, public marches, and educational seminars.
• The themes for the day are often derived from the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development, which is a ten-year plan developed by international social work bodies.
• In 2026, the event will be observed on 17 March, followed by 16 March in 2027 and 21 March in 2028.

Giant fragment of 3,200-year-old Ramesses II statue discovered at El Ashmunein

[Egypt]

Key Updates:

• Archaeologists uncovered a 3.8-metre limestone fragment of Ramesses II’s statue at El Ashmunein, Minya Governorate, Egypt.
• The fragment completes a colossal seated statue first found in 1930 by German archaeologist Günther Roeder.
• When reassembled, the statue will stand about 7 metres tall.
• The joint mission was conducted by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the University of Colorado Boulder.
• The excavation was co-directed by Basem Gehad and Yvona Trnka-Amrhein.

Göbekli Tepe in Turkey recognised as the world's oldest temple dating to 9600 BCE

[Turkey]

Key Updates:

• Göbekli Tepe, located in southern Turkey, is considered the oldest temple in the world, dating back nearly 12,000 years.
• The site was discovered in the 1990s and was extensively studied by German archaeologist Klaus Schmidt.
• The temple dates back to approximately 9600 BCE, predating both Stonehenge and the pyramids.
• The structure consists of large circular buildings with massive T-shaped limestone pillars decorated with symbols and animals like foxes, lions, and birds.
• The site was constructed by hunter-gatherers before the advent of farming, settled communities, or the domestication of plants.
• Archaeological research indicates that the site was deliberately buried under tons of dirt and debris by humans around 8000 BCE.

Kusunpur to become Odisha's first smart village

[Odisha]

Key Updates:

• Kusunpur village under Rajnagar block in Kendrapada district will be Odisha's first smart village.
• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), ministry of science and technology, launched a mission-mode project on Monday to develop Kusunpur into a smart village.
• CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CSIR-CBRI) will strengthen village infrastructure such as climate-resilient schools, anganwadi buildings, community toilets and village planning.
• CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CEERI) will promote renewable energy, clean cooking fuel and safe drinking water solutions.
• CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) will introduce solar sharing agrivoltaics.
• CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI) will provide training in leather products, including products made from fish/chicken feet leather and Odisha’s ethnic textiles.
• Structural Engineering Research Centre (SERC) will support the construction of a multipurpose cyclone shelter.

International Day of Action for Rivers 2026 observed on March 14 with theme 'Protect Rivers, Protect People'

Key Updates:

• International Day of Action for Rivers is celebrated annually on March 14.
• The 2026 theme is 'Protect Rivers, Protect People'.
• The day was first observed in 1997 after a global meeting in Curitiba, Brazil, where representatives from 20 countries decided March 14 would be the official day.
• Saudi Arabia is the only country without a single flowing river due to its desert climate and low rainfall.
• Saudi Arabia produces around 70 per cent of its drinking water through desalination and underground sources.