Daily Current Affairs: 19 March 2026

William Dalrymple won 2026 Mark Lynton History Prize for The Golden Road.

Key Updates:

• William Dalrymple received the Mark Lynton History Prize 2026 for his book The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World.
• The award carries a cash prize of $10,000 and is administered jointly by the Nieman Foundation for Journalism and the Columbia University School of Journalism.
• The prize citation praised the book for its blend of literary grace, commitment to serious research and social concern.
• Previous winners of the prize include Adam Hochschild, Jill Lepore and Robert Caro.
• The 2026 shortlist also featured works by Nicholas Boggs, Sven Beckert, Siddharth Kara and Martha A. Sandweiss.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) injects ₹48,014 crore via 7-day VRR auction

[Reserve Bank of India]

Key Updates:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) infused ₹48,014 crore into the banking system through a seven-day variable rate repo (VRR) auction.
• The funds were injected at a cut-off and weighted average rate of 5.26 per cent.
• The auction amount was significantly lower than the notified ₹1.50 lakh crore.
• Surplus liquidity in the banking system dropped to around ₹75,483.63 crore as of March 16 from ₹2.08 lakh crore on March 15 due to advance tax outflows.
• Since January 2026, the RBI has infused ₹3.50 lakh crore of durable liquidity through open market purchases (OMO) of government securities.

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) recognises over 1.02 lakh women-led startups

[Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade]

Key Updates:

• Among 2.12 lakh entities recognised as startups by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), over 1.02 lakh have at least one woman director or partner.
• Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) have invested ₹2,995 crore in women-led startups since 2020.
• The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme has approved ₹294 crore for women-led ventures out of ₹592 crore sanctioned since 2021.
• Under the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups, loans of ₹925 crore have been guaranteed since April 2023, including ₹39 crore for women-led startups.
• Of the 6,789 recognised startups that are closed, 2,950 had at least one woman director or partner.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approves Keki Mistry as interim part-time Chairman of HDFC Bank for three months.

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI), HDFC Bank]

Key Updates:

• HDFC Bank part-time Chairman and Independent Director Atanu Chakraborty resigned with immediate effect citing ethical concerns over certain practices within the bank.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of Keki Mistry as interim part-time Chairman of HDFC Bank effective 19 March for three months.
• Keki Mistry was Vice-Chairman of HDFC Ltd before its merger with HDFC Bank.
• HDFC Bank is the second largest bank with a market capitalisation of Rs 12.97 lakh crore.
• Atanu Chakraborty joined HDFC Bank board in May 2021 and oversaw the merger of HDFC Ltd with HDFC Bank.
• Chakraborty is a retired IAS officer of Gujarat cadre and served as Secretary in Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) during FY 2019-20.

Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) records India's total exports at US$ 790.86 billion for April 2025-February 2026

[Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI)]

Key Updates:

• India's total merchandise and services exports grew by 5.79% to reach US$ 790.86 billion (₹72.76 lakh crore) between April 2025 and February 2026.
• The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) reported that merchandise exports during this period reached US$ 402.93 billion (₹37.07 lakh crore), an increase of 1.84% compared to the previous year.
• Non-petroleum exports rose by 5.03% to US$ 354.12 billion (₹32.58 lakh crore) during the April-February period.
• Merchandise imports reached US$ 713.53 billion (₹65.64 lakh crore), resulting in a merchandise trade deficit of US$ 310.60 billion (₹28.58 lakh crore).
• Services exports reached US$ 387.93 billion (₹35.69 lakh crore), creating a services trade surplus of US$ 200.96 billion (₹18.49 lakh crore).
• In February 2026, India's export value reached US$ 76.13 billion (₹7.00 lakh crore), representing an 11.05% increase compared to the previous year.
• Export growth was supported by sectors including engineering goods, electronics, chemicals, gems and jewellery, agri-based products, pharmaceuticals, marine products, rice, handicrafts, coffee, meat, dairy, and poultry products.
• Significant export growth was recorded in markets including China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Togo, Sri Lanka, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.

Union Government approves ₹1,250 crore Information Technology (IT) Park in Puducherry

[Puducherry]

Key Updates:

• The Union Government has granted approval to the Puducherry government to establish a dedicated Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for Information Technology (IT) at a cost of ₹1,250 crore.
• The project will be developed on 21.3 acres of land at Thattanchavady, which is currently owned by the Oulgaret municipality.
• The IT park is designed as a mini-city with 70% of the area dedicated to plug-and-play offices and the remaining 30% allocated for residential housing, a shopping complex, a medical centre, a bank, and a fire station.
• The SEZ is projected to create nearly 30,000 jobs and generate service exports worth ₹10,000 crore over the next 10 years.
• The facility will incorporate environmentally friendly features, including green buildings and smart waste management systems.

Shriram General Insurance Company (SGIC) launches Shri Health Suraksha 2.0 insurance suite

[Shriram General Insurance]

Key Updates:

• Shriram General Insurance Company (SGIC) has launched Shri Health Suraksha 2.0, an indemnity health insurance plan featuring unlimited restoration of the sum insured within a policy year.
• The policy removes standard industry caps on room and ICU charges, allowing policyholders to select facilities without budget-based restrictions.
• The plan offers a cumulative bonus of up to 250% for claim-free years and includes a zero co-payment structure where the insurer handles the full admissible claim amount.
• Coverage under the suite extends to air ambulance expenses up to the opted sum insured and includes medical consumables and traditional AYUSH treatments.
• SGIC is a joint venture between the Shriram Group and the Sanlam Group of South Africa.
• As of 31st December 2025, SGIC manages assets worth ₹14,249 Crore and maintains 69 lakh live policies across 285 branches in India.
• The company reported an employee strength of 4,219 as of the end of December 2025.

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) signs $3 billion green ammonia supply deal with Samsung C&T Corporation

[Reliance Industries Limited, Samsung C&T Corporation]

Key Updates:

• Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has signed a binding 15-year Supply and Purchase Agreement to supply green ammonia to Samsung C&T Corporation starting second half FY2029.
• The contract is valued at more than $3 billion and is among the largest binding long-term green ammonia offtake agreements globally.
• The deal supports India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and positions India as a major exporter of green fuels through a domestic clean-energy value chain.
• RIL is developing an integrated new energy platform covering renewable power generation, energy storage, green hydrogen production, and downstream green fuels and chemicals.
• RIL’s initiative includes domestic manufacturing of solar modules, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and electrolyser systems.

BHAVYA Scheme: Rs 33,660 crore for 100 plug-and-play industrial parks

Key Updates:

• The Union Cabinet Committee approved the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA) with an allocation of Rs 33,660 crore.
• BHAVYA will develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks across India in partnership with state governments, central PSUs and private developers.
• Projects will be selected in challenge mode based on PM GatiShakti principles, underground utility corridors, green energy and ease of doing business reforms.
• The Centre will provide up to Rs 1 crore per acre for six years (FY 2026-27 to 2031-32) to industrial parks of minimum 100 acres.
• The scheme will facilitate approximately 34,000 acres of investment-ready, plug-and-play industrial facilities at competitive rates.
• Industrial parks ranging from 100 to 1,000 acres will be supported for core, value-added and social infrastructure.
• External infrastructure support up to 25% of project cost will be provided to ensure seamless connectivity.
• BHAVYA aims to benefit manufacturing units, MSMEs, startups, global investors, workers, logistics providers, service sector enterprises and local communities.

Punjab Assembly passes Shri Guru Teg Bahadur World Class University Bill, 2026 with ₹300 Crore Investment

[Punjab]

Key Updates:

• The Punjab Assembly passed the Shri Guru Teg Bahadur World Class University, Punjab Bill, 2026, to establish a world-class institute in Sri Anandpur Sahib.
• The university will offer north India's first specialised courses in defence, aerospace, cyber security, and quantum computing.
• The Punjab government proposed an investment of ₹300 crore for the project over the next three years, with an initial allocation of ₹20 crore in the current budget.
• The academic structure includes B.Sc. in Defence Technology, M.Sc. in Strategic and Defence Studies, M.Tech. in Defence, Electronics and Radar Systems, and M.Tech. in Military Robotics and Atomic Systems.
• Other courses include B.Tech. and M.Tech. in Artificial Intelligence (AI), M.Sc. in Data Sciences, B.Tech. in Drone Engineering and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology, maritime studies, and a Master's in Military History.
• The institute aims to educate more than 10,000 students over the next decade and intends to commence courses by July 2026.
• The House also passed the Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units and Stockists and Retailers Bill, 2026, which mandates compulsory registration and digital tracking of minor minerals to curb illegal mining.

Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026 Introduced with Stricter Penalties and Medical Certification

Key Updates:

• Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) Virendra Kumar introduced the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, in Parliament on 13 March.
• The Bill proposes to remove the right to gender self-identification established by the Supreme Court (SC) in the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) v. Union of India (2014) case.
• It mandates the formation of a medical board headed by a Chief Medical Officer (CMO) or a Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) to recommend the issuance of identity certificates to the District Magistrate (DM).
• The definition of a transgender person is narrowed to include those with socio-cultural identities such as kinner, hijra, aravani, jogta, and eunuch, or persons with specific congenital biological variations.
• The Bill introduces a new category for individuals or children compelled to assume a transgender identity through force, deceit, mutilation, or surgical procedures.
• State and Union Territory (UT) representatives on the National Council for Transgender Persons (NCTP) must now hold a minimum rank of Director in their respective departments.
• Kidnapping an adult to force a transgender identity carries a penalty of 10 years to life imprisonment and a minimum fine of ₹2 lakh, while the same offence against a child attracts life imprisonment and a ₹5 lakh fine.
• Forcing an adult into begging or bonded labour as a transgender person attracts 5 to 10 years of imprisonment and a ₹1 lakh fine, increasing to 10 to 14 years and a ₹3 lakh fine for offences against children.
• According to the National Portal for Transgender Persons, a total of 32,424 transgender identity cards have been issued under the existing 2019 Act.

Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 passed to prevent coercive conversions

[Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

• The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly passed the Freedom of Religion Bill 2026, introduced by the Mahayuti government to curb religious conversions involving coercion, inducement, fraud, or deception.
• The legislation mandates that individuals intending to convert to another religion must provide a formal notice 60 days in advance.
• Under the provisions of the bill, the burden of proof to demonstrate that a religious conversion is lawful rests entirely on the accused.
• Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis stated that the bill provides specific legal provisions currently lacking in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) regarding unlawful conversions.
• The CM noted that similar laws have already been enacted in 12 other states, including Odisha, Karnataka, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• The bill was supported by the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) (Sena (UBT)) but faced opposition from the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) (NCP (SP)), Samajwadi Party (SP), and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI (M)).
• Opposition parties demanded that the bill be referred to a joint select committee for public review and suggestions, alleging it violates the right to privacy and Article 25 of the Constitution.
• The motion to pass the bill in the assembly was moved by the Minister of State (MoS), Pankaj Bhoyar.

Gujarat UCC report emphasises equal rights, women protection and cultural diversity

[Gujarat]

Key Updates:

• The high-level committee on Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for Gujarat submitted its final report to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar.
• The committee was headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.
• The report suggested a common legal framework for all religions and communities on marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption.
• The committee prepared the report after detailed study and district visits to collect public opinion.

Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 supported by Ministry of Power and major PSUs

[Ministry of Power]

Key Updates:

• Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 is scheduled from 19-22 March 2026 at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi.
• The event is held under the patronage of India’s Ministry of Power and supported by POWERGRID, NTPC, PFC, REC and NHPC.
• FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) is the Association Partner for the summit.
• The summit convenes global policymakers, CEOs, government leaders, electricity experts, investors, regulators, innovators, suppliers and solution providers.
• It aims to advance progress across the electricity value chain from generation and transmission to distribution, storage and smart consumption.

Dirghavadhi Krishak Punji Sahakar Yojana launched to provide long-term credit to cooperatives

Key Updates:

• National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) launched the Dirghavadhi Krishak Punji Sahakar Yojana under the Ministry of Cooperation.
• The scheme provides long-term financial assistance to cooperatives engaged in agriculture and allied sectors.
• Eligible cooperatives must have minimum 3 years of operational history, positive net worth, no erosion in paid-up share capital, no cash losses in the last three years, and recorded net profit in at least two of the last three years.
• Loans are sanctioned against adequate security after appraisal of financial health, operational performance and creditworthiness.
• Recovery in case of default involves recall notice, action under Negotiable Instruments Act 1881 Section 138, proceedings under SARFAESI Act 2002 Sections 13(2) and 13(4), and cases filed in Debt Recovery Tribunal under Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act 1993.

ITDC–Ministry of Tribal Affairs launch capacity building programme for tribal homestay owners

[Ministry of Tribal Affairs]

Key Updates:

• India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) launched a capacity building programme for tribal homestay owners in New Delhi.
• The inaugural ceremony was held at Kautilya Hall, Hotel Samrat.
• The first batch comprises 40 participants from Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Gujarat.
• Training is delivered by IHM Ashok under ITDC.
• MoTA Secretary Ranjana Chopra and ITDC Managing Director Mugdha Sinha attended the launch.
• The ‘Tribal Homestay – Operation & Development Manual 2026’ was released; it is multilingual, including Hindi and Gujarati versions.

MoHFW Regulatory Reforms for Food Safety and Ease of Doing Business

[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)]

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) approved comprehensive regulatory reforms aligned with the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms of NITI Aayog.
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registrations and licences will now have perpetual validity, eliminating the requirement for periodic renewals for Food Business Operators (FBOs).
• With effect from 1st April 2026, the turnover threshold for registration will be increased from ₹12 lakhs to ₹1.5 crore.
• The threshold for State licensing has been set up to ₹50 crores, with Central licensing applicable for businesses exceeding this limit.
• Street food vendors registered under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, will be considered as deemed registered under FSSAI, benefiting over 10 lakh vendors.
• A technology-enabled, dynamic risk-based inspection framework will be implemented to incentivise compliant businesses and reduce repetitive inspections based on nature of food and past compliance records.

Indian-flagged tanker Jag Laadki carrying 80,886 MT crude oil reaches Mundra Port in Gujarat

[Gujarat]

Key Updates:

• Indian-flagged tanker Jag Laadki carrying 80,886 metric tonnes of crude oil arrived at Mundra Port in Gujarat on 18 March 2026.
• The crude oil was sourced from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and loaded at Fujairah Port.
• Jag Laadki measures 274.19 metres in length and 50.04 metres in beam, with a deadweight tonnage of approximately 164,716 tonnes.
• Adani Ports, which operates Mundra Port, stated the delivery supports major refinery operations and India’s energy security during regional supply disruptions.
• LPG carrier Nanda Devi carrying 46,500 metric tonnes of LPG arrived at Vadinar port in Gujarat’s Devbhumi Dwarka district on 17 March 2026 after navigating through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Another LPG carrier, Shivalik, docked at Mundra Port on 16 March 2026.
• India imports about 88% of its crude oil, 50% of natural gas, and 60% of LPG needs.
• Before recent West Asia conflict escalations, over half of India’s crude imports, about 30% of gas, and 85-90% of LPG imports came from Middle East countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Indian Navy commences second edition of IOS SAGAR with 16 IONS nations

Key Updates:

• The Indian Navy (IN) has commenced the second edition of the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR initiative to enhance collaborative maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Naval personnel from 16 friendly foreign countries belonging to the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) are participating in the event.
• The IN assumed the chair of the IONS in February 2026.
• The initiative supports the Government of India's vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and the Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions (MAHASAGAR) framework.
• The programme includes professional training interactions at naval training establishments in Kochi followed by sea deployment onboard an IN ship.
• The sea phase involves operational activities, maritime engagement, and port visits to foster professional linkages and exchange best practices.

India and Indonesia partner for restoration of 9th-century Prambanan Temple complex

[Indonesia]

Key Updates:

• India and Indonesia have partnered for the restoration of the Prambanan Temple complex in the Special Region of Yogyakarta in southern Java.
• Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon met a team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Monday to discuss preservation of the temple complex within the broader cultural landscape, which includes Sewu and Plaosan temples.
• ASI experts determined that the process of restoration and additional preservation would be completed through the anastylosis technique, a process of reassembling buildings using the original stones discovered on location.
• The Prambanan compound is a 9th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site dedicated to the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
• India has previously worked on major restoration sites in Southeast Asian countries, including Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos.
• Initial restoration work on Angkor Wat was undertaken by ASI from 1986 to 1993.
• In Laos, the ASI restored Vat Phou Temple in two phases at a cost of Rs 17 crore and Rs 24 crore for an ancient Khmer-Hindu Shiva site.

Asia-Africa Agri Alliance (AAAA) launched on 13 March 2026 to boost bilateral trade and investment

[Asia-Africa Agri Alliance (AAAA)]

Key Updates:

• The Asia-Africa Agri Alliance (AAAA) was formally launched by diplomats and agribusiness leaders from over ten nations to accelerate agricultural trade, investment, and technology transfer.
• The AAAA is established as a neutral, not-for-profit Section 8 institution to bridge gaps through investment-ready and policy-aligned mechanisms.
• The alliance operates on five pillars: trade and market access, technology and innovation transfer, investment and finance, policy and agriculture diplomacy, and capacity building.
• The forum will specifically focus on maize and millets as they are major crops in both the Asian and African regions.
• Asia and Africa together account for over 40 per cent of global agricultural production, with bilateral agri-trade exceeding $90 billion annually.
• Africa holds 65 per cent of the world's remaining arable land, and its agricultural sector is projected to reach a market value of $1 trillion by 2030.
• Key Indian representatives include Ashok Dalwai, Chairman of the Karnataka Agriculture Price Commission and former CEO of the National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA).
• Participating industrialists include Atul Chaturvedi of Shree Renuka Sugars Limited and Sanjeev Asthana, CEO of Patanjali Foods Limited and President of the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA).

OpenAI debuts GPT-5.4 Mini and Nano compact AI models

[OpenAI]

Key Updates:

• OpenAI announced the release of GPT-5.4 mini and GPT-5.4 nano, describing them as its most advanced compact AI models to date.
• GPT-5.4 mini runs more than twice as fast while approaching GPT-5.4 performance levels on several benchmarks.
• GPT-5.4 nano, the smallest variant, targets simpler tasks such as classification, data extraction, ranking, and basic coding support.
• Within Codex, GPT-5.4 can manage planning and oversight while GPT-5.4 mini handles subtasks such as codebase searches or file reviews, using 30% of GPT-5.4 quotas at about one-third the cost.

National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) successfully tests indigenously developed Floating LiDAR Buoy System off Muttom, Tamil Nadu.

[National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Tamil Nadu]

Key Updates:

• The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) conducted the successful sea trial of an indigenous Floating LiDAR Buoy System off the coast of Muttom in Tamil Nadu.
• The buoy integrates a buoyant platform with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology to measure wind speed and direction profiles up to 300 metres above sea level.
• The system will enhance Indian Navy operational effectiveness in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) by improving weather-ocean situational awareness and maritime-domain awareness.
• The buoy supports coordination with the Coast Guard and other agencies under the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) framework for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
• The high-resolution offshore wind data will aid cyclone tracking, storm intensity forecasts, marine safety advisories, and offshore wind resource assessment for renewable energy development.
• Engineering challenges of constant buoy motion and power management were addressed through advanced motion compensation algorithms and energy-efficient battery systems.
• Real-time data transmission from remote offshore locations is achieved via satellite links and compression techniques.
• The project aligns with Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives to promote domestic innovation and self-reliance in ocean technologies.

Scientists discover 289-million-year-old reptile skin fossil in Oklahoma

[United States]

Key Updates:

• Palaeontologists discovered a 289-million-year-old fossilised reptile skin fragment in the Richards Spur cave system in Oklahoma, United States.
• The specimen is identified as the oldest known preserved epidermis, extending the record of preserved skin by more than 130 million years.
• The skin is believed to belong to Captorhinus aguti, an early Permian reptile featuring pebbled, non-overlapping scales similar to those of a crocodile.
• The research, led by Ethan Mooney from the University of Toronto, was published in the journal Current Biology in January 2024.
• The fossil was preserved in remarkable three-dimensional detail due to a unique environment involving fine clay, low oxygen, and Permian oil that mummified the skin.
• Scientists used uranium-lead dating on associated stalagmites to confirm the age of the fossil as being between 286 and 289 million years old.
• The discovery provides critical insights into the evolution of amniotes, including reptiles, birds, and mammals, and their adaptation to terrestrial life.

Government promotes domestic recycling and circular economy in solar sector

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) estimate India will generate about 600 kilo-tonnes of solar waste by 2030.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022 mandating safe recycling of solar power system waste.
• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) operates an online Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) portal for collection, storage and disposal of solar panel waste.
• MNRE launched the Innovation Challenge for Circularity in Renewable Energy Technologies funding research on recycling, second-life applications and sustainable design of solar modules and batteries.
• The Department of Science and Technology (DST) invited proposals to develop economically viable recycling methods through academia-industry partnerships.
• The Ministry of Mines set up a Rs. 1,500 crore (US$ 162.3 million) recycling incentive under the National Critical Mineral Mission to recover critical minerals from renewable energy e-waste.

Neanderthal 'fat factory' at Neumark-Nord reveals 125,000-year-old organised bone-grease production.

Key Updates:

• A study in Science Advances reports Neanderthals operated a lakeside 'fat factory' at Neumark-Nord near Leipzig, Germany, 125,000 years ago.
• Leiden University researchers identified processing of at least 172 mammals including deer, horses, and aurochs at the site.
• Inhabitants broke bones, crushed them into thousands of fragments, and heated the fragments in water to extract calorie-rich bone grease.

FIFA partners with YouTube for unique streaming format for 2026 World Cup

[FIFA]

Key Updates:

• FIFA has announced a partnership with YouTube to allow official broadcasters to stream the first 10 minutes of 2026 World Cup matches live on the platform.
• The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the United States, Canada and Mexico, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches.
• Broadcasters may also stream a limited number of full matches on their own YouTube channels, depending on regional rights arrangements.
• FIFA will make historical World Cup content, including full past matches and classic highlights, available on YouTube during the tournament.
• Selected YouTube creators will receive expanded behind-the-scenes access to stadiums, training venues and team environments to produce digital content.

Supreme Court (SC) ruling on maternity leave for adoptive mothers on March 17, 2026

Key Updates:

• The Supreme Court (SC) ruled that all adoptive mothers are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave, regardless of the age of the adopted child.
• A bench comprising Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan read down Section 60(4) of The Code on Social Security-2020.
• The SC held that the previous provision limiting maternity leave to children adopted below the age of three months violated Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.
• The court urged the Central Government to introduce provisions recognising paternity leave as a social security benefit.
• The ruling established that maternity protection is a basic human right associated with the process of motherhood rather than just childbirth.
• The judgment stated that adoption is an exercise of reproductive and decisional autonomy under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

India becomes world’s third-largest metro network

Key Updates:

• Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu stated that India now has the third-largest metro network in the world.
• Over 1,143 kilometres of metro network are operational and around 936 kilometres are under construction across 29 cities.
• Metro services were available in only five cities in 2014, while today nearly 11.5 million passengers use metro systems daily.
• Anil Marwah has ridden the first train on the opening day of every newly inaugurated Delhi Metro corridor since 24 December 2002.
• Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Managing Director Dr Vikas Kumar was present at the felicitation ceremony held in New Delhi.

Coconut Promotion Scheme announced in Union Budget 2026–27

Key Updates:

• India leads global coconut production with over 30% share.
• Coconut cultivation supports nearly 30 million people, including around 10 million farmers.
• The Coconut Promotion Scheme was introduced in the Union Budget 2026–27.
• The scheme is part of a ₹350 crore allocation for high-value crops.
• State-wise fund allocation and utilisation details are yet to be finalised.
• Information shared by Bhagirath Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in Lok Sabha.

Ordnance Factories Day observed on 18 March 2026

Key Updates:

• Ordnance Factories Day is observed annually on 18 March.
• The first Ordnance Factory in colonial India was established at Cossipore near Kolkata in 1801.
• Production at the Gun Carriage Agency, Cossipore, started on 18 March 1802.
• The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) functions under the Department of Defence Production of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
• OFB is referred to as the 'Fourth Arm of Defence' and the 'Force Behind the Armed Forces' of India.
• The Indian Ordnance Factories supply products to the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.
• The Ordnance Factories organisation comprises 41 factories organised into five operational divisions of OFB.
• The theme for Ordnance Factories Day 2026 is yet to be announced.

Bhumika Shrestha becomes Nepal's first transgender lawmaker on March 5

[Nepal]

Key Updates:

• Bhumika Shrestha has been confirmed as Nepal's first transgender lawmaker by the Election Commission.
• She was elected as a proportional-representation Member of Parliament (MP) from the centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).
• The election for the 275-member House of Representatives was held on March 5.
• Bhumika Shrestha is a 37-year-old activist from Kathmandu who has been associated with the Blue Diamond Society.
• She received the International Women of Courage Award in 2022 for her work in advancing LGBTQ+ rights and social justice.
• She was one of the first individuals to travel internationally using a passport marked under the other gender category.
• Her advocacy contributed to the recognition of a third gender category in official documents in Nepal.

Brazil restricts social media for under-16s from March 18, 2026

[Brazil]

Key Updates:

• Brazil began implementing new measures on Tuesday to restrict minors' access to social media and prevent them from viewing violent or illegal content.
• Adolescents up to 16 must now have their accounts linked to that of a legal guardian.
• Digital platforms are required to demand reliable age verification to prevent minors under 18 from accessing prohibited content.
• The National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) is the government body tasked with implementing the law.
• Companies face fines up to 50 million reais (approximately 9 million dollars) and possible account suspensions or bans for non-compliance.
• The law bans advertising aimed at children and adolescents and prohibits loot boxes in video games.

World Sleep Day 2026: Sealy India promotes better sleep through science-backed mattresses

Key Updates:

• World Sleep Day 2026 was observed on March 13.
• Sealy, a global mattress brand with over 140 years of heritage, used the day to highlight the importance of proper support for restorative sleep.
• Sealy India is expanding its network of premium exclusive stores across India to make world-class sleep technology accessible.
• G S S Jagannath, General Manager of Sealy India, stated that the company’s commitment goes beyond offering premium mattresses to raising awareness about restorative sleep.