📰 Daily Briefing Friday, Mar 20

Daily Current Affairs: 20 March 2026

Analysis for 20 March 2026

Keel laying of second and third Next-Generation OPVs held at Ratnagiri Shipyard.

Key Updates:

  • The keel laying ceremony of Yard 16402 and 16403, the second and third of six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), took place at YMPL, Ratnagiri on 17 March 2026.
  • The vessels are being constructed under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category of India’s indigenous shipbuilding programme for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
  • Each OPV will measure 117 metres in length, have a range of 5,000 nautical miles, and attain a maximum speed of 23 knots.
  • The ships will carry 11 officers and 110 men and feature AI-based predictive maintenance systems, Remote Piloted Drones, Integrated Bridge System (IBS), and Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).
  • The contract for six Next Generation OPVs was signed on 20 December 2023 at a total cost of ₹1,614.89 crore.
  • Four of the six vessels will replace aging OPVs while the remaining two will augment the ICG fleet to enhance surveillance, law enforcement, search and rescue, maritime pollution response, and humanitarian assistance.

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Indian Navy signs contract with Shoft Shipyard for four 500T Self-Propelled Fuel Barges (Start of March) ▼
  • Indian Navy concluded a contract on 02 Mar 2026 with M/s Shoft Shipyard Private Limited, Thane (MSME Shipyard) for construction of 04 X 500T Self Propelled Fuel Barges.
  • The barges will be built under the Classification Rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
  • Their primary role is replenishment of fuel to ships and submarines in harbour and at anchorage.
  • The project supports Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives and aligns with Maritime India Vision 2030.
India inaugurates Waterjet Production and Testing Facility in Goa on 13 February 2026 (Mid of February) ▼
  • Director General of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), DG Paramesh Sivamani, inaugurated the Waterjet Production and Testing Facility of Marine Jet Power (MJP) India in Goa.
  • India has become the third country globally, after the United States and South Korea, to host such a specialised production and testing capability.
  • The facility was commissioned under a Manufacturing and Transfer of Technology (ToT) framework to establish a domestic supply chain for waterjet propulsion systems.
  • The ICG currently operates over 100 MJP waterjet propulsion systems across its fleet, with 42 additional systems planned for ships under construction.
  • The new facility will serve as a regional hub for South Asia and adjoining regions while enhancing indigenous repair and overhaul capabilities.
  • DG ICG reviewed the progress of six indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) at Chowgule and Company Private Limited.
  • The ACV project is India’s first indigenous programme of its kind, featuring approximately 50 per cent indigenous content with the first delivery scheduled for May 2026.
Sagar Defence Engineering (SDE) Lays Foundation for World's First Autonomous Maritime Shipbuilding Centre in Andhra Pradesh (Mid of March) ▼
  • Sagar Defence Engineering (SDE) laid the foundation stone for the world's first Autonomous Maritime Shipbuilding and Systems Centre at Juvvaladinne fishing harbour in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh.
  • The Government of Andhra Pradesh authorised the allocation of 29.58 acres of land for the project to enable direct sea access for vessel construction, testing, and deployment.
  • The centre will focus on developing platforms such as Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), and intelligent navigation systems.
  • The facility will deploy digital twin technology to create virtual replicas of vessels and shipyard infrastructure for performance simulation and design optimisation.
  • Manufacturing operations will include robotic fabrication systems for automated welding, cutting, painting, and assembly.
  • The shipyard will utilise Autonomous Material Handling (AMH) systems, including robots and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), to transport components.
  • The facility will employ additive manufacturing (3D printing) for the rapid production of specialised maritime components and spare parts.
  • The initiative aims to support smart fishing fleet networks by providing real-time fish location maps and weather alerts through satellite and cloud-based systems.
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) delivers Anti-Submarine Warfare warship 'Anjadip' to Indian Navy in 2025 (End of December) ▼
  • Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd delivered 'Anjadip', the third of eight such platforms being built at the shipyard to the Indian Navy at the Chennai Port Trust.
  • Anjadip is the 115th warship built by GRSE and the 77th warship delivered to the Navy.
  • The warship is also fitted with an indigenous 30 mm Naval Surface Gun, manufactured by GRSE, and has nearly 88% indigenous content.
  • The Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) is armed with lightweight torpedoes as well as anti-submarine warfare rockets and features on-board Combat Management Systems.
  • The vessel requires a draught of 2.7 metres, allowing her to access the coasts easily in search of sub-surface threats and is powered by three water jets.
  • GRSE delivered four other warships in 2025, including the Advanced Guided Missile Frigate Himgiri, the first two ASW SWCs of the series Arnala and Androth, and the Survey Vessel (Large) Ikshak.

Nita Ambani conferred KISS Humanitarian Award 2025

Key Updates:

  • Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, received the KISS Humanitarian Award 2025 at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) campus in Bhubaneswar.
  • The award was presented by Nobel Laureate Mohan Munasinghe in the presence of Achyuta Samanta, founder of KIIT, KISS and KIMS.
  • The honour recognises Reliance Foundation’s contributions to social development in education, healthcare, rural transformation, women’s empowerment and sports.
  • The KISS Humanitarian Award, instituted in 2008, is the highest honour of KISS and carries a citation and a gold-plated trophy.

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Karan Adani received Business Leader of the Year award from All India Management Association (AIMA). (End of February) ▼
  • Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ Limited, was honoured as Business Leader of the Year at the Foundation Day of All India Management Association (AIMA).
  • He dedicated the award to employees of the Adani Group, stating they work day and night at plants and remote sites across the country.
  • Karan Adani credited his father for teaching him perseverance, hard work and long-term thinking.
  • He thanked his mother for teaching him compassion, humility and the need to be a better human being.
  • He acknowledged the support of his three brothers and his wife Paridhi for their constant encouragement.
  • He expressed gratitude to his three daughters for inspiring him daily to be a better father and person.
  • The award recognised leadership that combines business growth with strong human values.
NITI Aayog and UNICEF India sign SOI to improve maternal and child nutrition in aspirational districts and blocks (Start of March) ▼
  • NITI Aayog and UNICEF India signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) to support strategic interventions in aspirational districts and aspirational blocks.
  • The SOI was signed by Rohit Kumar, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme at NITI Aayog, and Arjan de Wagt, Deputy Representative at UNICEF India.
  • UNICEF India will provide technical expertise and channel CSR funds into nutrition-focused initiatives through its platform IMPAct4Nutrition (I4N).
  • The partnership will focus on strengthening Anganwadi infrastructure, enhancing nutrition literacy, improving uptake of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and building capacity of frontline workers.
  • The agreement aims to promote multi-stakeholder engagement and strengthen implementation systems for nutrition and health interventions at the block level.
Major Swathi Shanthakumar won the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General's Award 2025 (Mid of January) ▼
  • Major Swathi Shanthakumar, an Indian Army officer serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), won the UN Secretary-General's Award 2025 in the Gender Category.
  • She was recognized for her project titled ‘Equal Partners, Lasting Peace’, which focused on strengthening gender-responsive peacekeeping and improving grassroots outreach in Malakal.
  • She leads India's first all-woman military engagement team deployed to the UNMISS, conducting foot, river, and air patrols to reach remote and conflict-affected communities.
  • The initiative was selected through a UN-wide voting process involving personnel globally and helped create a safer environment for over 5,000 women.
  • Major Swathi Shanthakumar is an officer of the Indian Army's Corps of Electronics & Mechanical Engineers and is currently serving with the 3rd Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (3 JAK Rif).
  • She is a resident of Bengaluru and completed her engineering in electrical and electronics from New Horizon before joining the Indian Army.
GCWAS-2026: President Highlights SHE Marts and 6 Crore Lakhpati Didi Target (Mid of March) ▼
  • President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the three-day Global Conference on the Role of Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS-2026) in New Delhi on 12 March 2026.
  • The United Nations (UN) has declared 2026 as the International Year of Women Farmers to promote leadership roles for women across the agri-food value chain.
  • The Union Budget 2025-26 introduced SHE Marts (Self-Help Entrepreneur Marts), which are community-owned retail outlets to be established in every district for Self-Help Group (SHG) products.
  • The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) has set a target of creating 6 crore Lakhpati Didis earning over ₹1 lakh annually, with over 3 crore women already achieving this status.
  • Under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana—National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), over 10 crore rural households and 90 lakh SHGs have been mobilised.
  • The Jan Dhan Yojana has reached 570 million bank accounts, of which 56% are held by women, while women constitute 68% of all Mudra loan beneficiaries.
  • The Namo Drone Didi scheme provides drones to women SHGs to facilitate precision agriculture and reduce drudgery in the farm sector.
  • The President highlighted 'Sarlaben', an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered initiative inspired by the government livestock care vision, as a tool for women farmers.
  • The government has conferred Padma Shri awards on women farmers from the states of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Bihar.
  • Key attendees included Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Director General M L Jat, and Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority (PPVFRA) chairperson Trilochana Mohapatra.

Kushal Das, former All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary, passes away.

[All India Football Federation]

Key Updates:

  • Kushal Das died at the age of 66 at a private hospital in Delhi.
  • He served as AIFF general secretary for 12 years before resigning in 2022.
  • Das previously held the post of Chief Financial Officer at the International Cricket Council (ICC) and International Management Group (IMG) India.
  • He played a key role in organising the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted by India.
  • Under his tenure, India secured hosting rights for the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
  • He facilitated the partnership between AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) leading to the launch of the Indian Super League (ISL).

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Ilyas Pasha Passes Away: Former India Defender and East Bengal Legend (End of January) ▼
  • Former Indian international footballer and East Bengal defender Ilyas Pasha passed away after a prolonged illness as announced by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
  • He made his senior international debut in 1987 and represented India in two editions of the Nehru Cup (1987 and 1991), the 1991 South Asian Federation (SAF) Games, and the 1992 Asian Cup qualifiers.
  • At the domestic level, he won two Santosh Trophy titles with Bengal in 1993 and 1995.
  • During his nine-year tenure with East Bengal, he won 28 trophies, including five Calcutta Football League titles, five IFA Shields, and four Durand Cup trophies.
  • He captained East Bengal to a historic domestic treble in 1990, winning the Durand Cup, IFA Shield, and Rovers Cup.
  • Under his captaincy, East Bengal secured its first international title at the Wai Wai Cup in 1993 and registered a 6-2 victory over Iraq’s Al Zawraa SC in the 1993-94 Asian Cup Winners’ Cup.
  • He was conferred with a Lifetime Achievement Award by East Bengal in 2012.
Prof Hermann Kulke passes away at 87; Padma Shri awardee and global voice of Odisha history. (Mid of March) ▼
  • Prof Hermann Kulke, eminent historian and Indologist, died on Tuesday at the age of 87.
  • He was born in Berlin in 1938 and held the position of Professor Emeritus of South and Southeast Asian History at Kiel University in Germany.
  • He was conferred the Padma Shri in 2010 for his contributions to Indology and Odisha studies.
  • Kulke was a founding member and coordinator of the first two Orissa Research Projects of the German Research Council.
  • He completed his PhD in Indology on the temple city of Chidambaram from Freiburg University in 1967.
  • He earned his D.Litt on Gajapati Kingship and the Jagannath Cult from Heidelberg University in 1975.
  • Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo condoled his death and highlighted his pioneering research on Odisha’s heritage.
Thomas Kuthiravattam passed away as former MP and senior Kerala Congress (M) leader (Mid of January) ▼
  • Thomas Kuthiravattam, senior leader of Kerala Congress (M) and former MP, passed away at his residence in Kallissery near Chengannur in Alappuzha.
  • He served as working chairman of the undivided Kerala Congress and was a long-time general secretary.
  • He was a member of Rajya Sabha from 1985 to 1991 and part of the Joint Parliamentary Committee that investigated the Bofors deal.
  • He was a close aide of late K M Mani and served as a member of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Managing Committee.
Suresh Kalmadi passed away as former Union Minister of State for Railways and former President of Indian Olympic Association (IOA). (Start of January) ▼
  • Suresh Kalmadi passed away at the age of 81 after prolonged illness at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune.
  • He served as Union Minister of State for Railways and as President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
  • He represented Pune multiple times in the Lok Sabha.

United States (US) President waives Merchant Marine Act of 1920 for 60 days

[United States]

Key Updates:

  • United States (US) President Donald Trump has issued a 60-day waiver of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, commonly known as the Jones Act, to ease domestic shipping costs.
  • The waiver allows foreign-flagged vessels to transport essential commodities including oil, natural gas, fertiliser, and coal between US ports.
  • The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 requires that ships transporting goods between US ports must be built in the US, owned by US citizens, and crewed primarily by Americans.
  • The International Energy Agency (IEA) has pledged to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves, with the US contributing 172 million barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
  • The US Treasury Department has eased sanctions on the state oil firm of Venezuela and temporarily allowed Russian oil to re-enter global markets to boost supply.
  • Global benchmark Brent crude reached approximately $109 per barrel and US crude climbed to $98 per barrel following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
  • The US national average for regular gasoline reached $3.84 per gallon according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), marking a 25 percent increase over pre-war levels.

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Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty Enters into Force, Legally Binding 81 Ratifying Nations (Mid of January) ▼
  • The BBNJ Agreement, covering ocean zones beyond national waters, enters into force 120 days after ratification by at least 60 countries.
  • The treaty area represents over two-thirds of the ocean’s surface and over 90 per cent of Earth’s habitat by volume.
  • It is the first legally binding ocean instrument to provide for inclusive ocean governance, with provisions on the engagement of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and on gender balance.
  • The Agreement becomes legally binding for the 81 nations that have ratified it so far.
  • Major economies that have ratified include China, Germany, Japan, France and Brazil.
  • The US signed in 2023 but has not ratified; India adopted in 2024 but ratification is pending; UK legislation introduced in 2025 but not yet ratified; Russia has neither adopted nor ratified.
U.S. Supreme Court strikes down President Trump's IEEPA-based tariffs exceeding $175 billion. (Start of March) ▼
  • The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs exceeded presidential authority.
  • Chief Justice John Roberts authored the majority opinion, stating the president must point to clear congressional authorization for such tariff actions.
  • The legal challenge was brought by affected businesses and 12 U.S. states, most Democratic-governed, against Trump's unprecedented IEERA tariff use.
  • Penn-Wharton Budget Model economists estimated over $175 billion had been collected under IEEPA-based tariffs, now likely requiring refunds.
  • IEEPA, a 1977 law traditionally used for sanctions, does not explicitly mention tariffs and was invoked by Trump for the first time to impose import taxes.
  • Trump's administration is exploring alternative legal justifications, including national security provisions and retaliatory trade measures, to retain as many tariffs as possible.
United States to build new Trump-class battleships starting with USS Defiance (End of December) ▼
  • President Donald Trump announced plans to build a new 'golden fleet' of naval war vessels, starting with two battleships.
  • The first 'Trump class' battleship will be named the USS Defiance, followed by another eight and then 10 to 15 more.
  • These 30,000- to 40,000-ton vessels will be the flagships of the American naval fleet.
  • The battleships will be partially funded by $26 billion allocated by a defense spending bill passed by Congress this month.
  • The vessels will carry sea-born nuclear cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, and utilize artificial intelligence.
  • The first battleship will take about 30 months to construct and will be 100 times more powerful than World War II-era battleships.
United States (US) Senate Democrats introduce bill to refund $175 billion in tariff revenue (End of February) ▼
  • A group of 22 US Senate Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, introduced legislation requiring the refund of revenue from tariffs struck down by the US Supreme Court.
  • The bill mandates the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency to refund all tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) within 180 days with interest.
  • The legislation directs the CBP to prioritise small businesses and manufacturers during the refund process.
  • Estimates from the Penn-Wharton Budget Model indicate that over $175 billion in IEEPA tariff collections are subject to potential refunds.
  • The IEEPA-based tariffs were generating more than $500 million in gross revenue per day before being struck down.
  • The CBP is scheduled to cease the collection of IEEPA tariffs at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Tuesday.
  • US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the administration will follow lower court decisions regarding the refunding of finalised or liquidated duties.
  • Co-sponsors of the bill include Senators Ron Wyden, Edward Markey, and Jeanne Shaheen, who lead the Senate Finance, Small Business, and Foreign Relations committees respectively.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) wins Central Banking's Initiative of the Year Award for launching .bank.in domain.

[Reserve Bank of India]

Key Updates:

  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) received the Initiative of the Year Award from London-based Central Banking for introducing the .bank.in domain.
  • India became the first country globally to mandate a secure and exclusive Internet domain for its banking system through .bank.in.
  • Only RBI-regulated entities are permitted to use the .bank.in domain to combat phishing and look-alike website frauds.
  • Banks were mandated to migrate their net banking websites to the new domain by 31 October 2025.
  • Major banks including SBI, HDFC, and ICICI have migrated their websites to URLs such as www.bankname.bank.in.
  • The initiative involved the Indian government, NIXI, IDRBT, and banks as stakeholders.

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Indian Banks' Association (IBA) honours Karnataka Bank with multiple Banking Technology Awards. (Mid of January) ▼
  • Karnataka Bank won the Winner title in the 'Best Fintech & DPI Adoption' category.
  • Karnataka Bank was adjudged Runner-up in the 'Best Tech Talent' category.
  • Karnataka Bank received Special Mention in the 'Best Technology Bank' category.
  • Karnataka Bank received Special Mention in the 'Best Digital Financial Inclusion' category.
  • Karnataka Bank received Special Mention in the 'Best Digital Sales' category.
Indian Banks' Association (IBA) honours Karnataka Bank with multiple Banking Technology Awards (Mid of January) ▼
  • Karnataka Bank won the 'Best Fintech & DPI Adoption' category at the IBA Banking Technology Awards.
  • Karnataka Bank was adjudged runner-up in the 'Best Tech Talent' category.
  • Karnataka Bank received special mention in 'Best Technology Bank', 'Best Digital Financial Inclusion', and 'Best Digital Sales' categories.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) widens Payment Aggregator authorization for Innoviti Technologies to cover physical in-store payments. (Mid of January) ▼
  • Innoviti Technologies received RBI Certificate of Authorization to operate as a Payment Aggregator under the Payments and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
  • The authorization now covers both online and physical in-store payment transactions.
  • Innoviti already processes over ₹80,000 crore annually across 2,000+ cities and 50,000+ merchants.

British Council and SPARK – The 100K Collective sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support women entrepreneurs

[British Council]

Key Updates:

  • The British Council and SPARK – The 100K Collective signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on 17 March 2026.
  • The partnership aims to strengthen the support ecosystem for women-led enterprises in India by building skills and expanding professional networks.
  • The British Council will provide expertise in English language training and skills development to enhance the communication and business capabilities of women entrepreneurs.
  • The initiative seeks to enable inclusive economic participation and support women in scaling sustainable enterprises.
  • The event was attended by Smriti Irani, Founder of the Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality, and Scott McDonald, Chief Executive of the British Council.

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Tamil Nadu Women Entrepreneur Empowerment Scheme (TWEES) targets one lakh women entrepreneurs in five years. (Start of March) ▼
  • Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched the Tamil Nadu Women Entrepreneur Empowerment Scheme (TWEES) designed by the MSME Department.
  • TWEES aims to encourage one lakh women to take up entrepreneurship within five years.
  • The scheme was launched during an event at the Secretariat on Wednesday.
FLO Bangalore Industrial Park inaugurated in Gowribidanur, Karnataka (Start of February) ▼
  • FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) Bangalore, the women’s wing of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), inaugurated a first-of-its-kind women-led industrial park in Gowribidanur, Karnataka.
  • The 50-acre industrial park is designed exclusively for FLO Bengaluru members to support first-generation women entrepreneurs in manufacturing and large-scale enterprise.
  • The initiative is supported by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) and Karnataka Udyog Mitra (KUM).
  • The park provides a comprehensive ecosystem including single window access for approvals, access to financial institutions, and guidance on business planning and project execution.
  • Planned shared facilities at the site include skill development and capacity building centres, creche facilities, and Research and Development (R&D) support.
Gujarat launches herSTART 5.0 to incubate and mentor women-led startups (Start of March) ▼
  • Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the fifth edition of the herSTART programme run by the Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council.
  • The herSTART programme provides incubation, mentorship and market access support to women-led startups.
  • CM Patel announced that the number of startups in India has risen from fewer than 500 about a decade ago to nearly 2,00,000, with women accounting for a substantial share of participation.
  • He highlighted that opportunities are expanding for women in the semiconductor sector, including chip design, fabrication management, semiconductor packaging and deep-technology innovation.
  • The Chief Minister inaugurated a newly built research park at Gujarat University and named the university's convention centre as Vidyagauri Nilkanth Sabhapuram.
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) recognises over 1.02 lakh women-led startups (Mid of March) ▼
  • 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.

NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) Expands Unified Payments Interface (UPI) Merchant Acceptance in Sri Lanka

[Sri Lanka, NPCI International Payments Limited]

Key Updates:

  • NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) has partnered with LankaPay to strengthen Unified Payments Interface (UPI) merchant acceptance across Sri Lanka.
  • The initiative enables Indian travellers to make real-time digital payments by scanning LankaQR codes using UPI-enabled mobile applications.
  • UPI acceptance has been enabled at several establishments including Cinnamon Hotels, Taj Hotels, Barista, Keells Supermarket, and Odel.
  • Indian tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka increased from 4,16,000 in 2024 to 5,31,000 in 2025, accounting for the highest share of total international arrivals.
  • Ritesh Shukla serves as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NIPL.

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National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) grants ZET TPAP licence for RuPay credit-card UPI payments. (End of January) ▼
  • ZET secured NPCI approval for a Third-Party Application Provider licence.
  • ZET integrates UPI payments with credit card rewards using RuPay’s UPI-on-credit-card capability.
  • ZET expects monthly UPI transactions via credit cards to reach about Rs 100 crore.
  • ZET’s platform has around 10 lakh eligible users, nearly 75 percent of whom are first-time credit card users.
  • ZET’s UPI ecosystem is powered by Juspay’s technology stack and enabled through a partnership with RBL Bank.
NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) partners with PayNet to enable UPI acceptance in Malaysia. (Mid of February) ▼
  • NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) signed an agreement with Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet) to enable QR-based merchant payments between India and Malaysia.
  • Indian travellers will scan DuitNow QR codes using UPI-enabled apps during the first phase of the rollout.
  • Malaysian travellers will scan UPI QR codes using DuitNow apps in a subsequent phase.
  • The integration will give Indian users access to millions of DuitNow QR acceptance points across Malaysia, including restaurants, retail outlets and tourist establishments.
  • Malaysian visitors will gain acceptance across millions of UPI QR-enabled merchant locations in India.
  • NPCI International Payments was incorporated in April 2020 as a wholly owned subsidiary of NPCI to deploy UPI and RuPay systems overseas.
Department of Financial Services (DFS) report shows UPI overtakes cash with 57% share of transactions (Mid of February) ▼
  • Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, released the report titled 'Socio-Economic Impact Analysis of the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of RuPay Debit Card and low-value BHIM-UPI (Person-to-Merchant) transactions' during Chintan Shivir on 13-14 February 2026.
  • Survey covered 10,378 respondents across 15 States: 6,167 users, 2,199 merchants, and 2,012 service providers.
  • UPI accounts for 57% of surveyed user transactions, surpassing cash at 38%.
  • 65% of UPI users report multiple digital transactions per day.
  • Report recommends targeted interventions to boost RuPay debit card usage in rural and semi-urban areas through merchant enablement programmes, UPI Lite for low-value transactions, and investment in connectivity, digital literacy, and fraud risk mitigation.
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and NTT Data to launch Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Japan (End of January) ▼
  • The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has partnered with Japanese IT services firm NTT Data to roll out Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Japan on a trial basis in fiscal 2026.
  • The initial phase of the service will be available to Indian tourists visiting Japan, allowing payments to be debited directly from their bank accounts in India.
  • Japan will join eight other countries that have already adopted the UPI platform, including Bhutan, Singapore, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sri Lanka, Qatar, Mauritius, and France.
  • UPI transactions in India grew by 42 percent in fiscal 2024, reaching a total of 185.8 billion transactions.
  • A June 2025 report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) described UPI as the world’s largest real-time payment system.
  • Data from 2023 shows that 49 percent of all instant-payment transactions worldwide were processed through the UPI network.
  • NTT Data provides payment terminals and processing services to approximately six million stores in India and plans to promote UPI adoption among merchants in Japan.

Scapia Launches Scapia Pay for RuPay Credit Card Unified Payments Interface (UPI) Payments

Key Updates:

  • Scapia has launched Scapia Pay, an in-app UPI service for rewards with co-branded RuPay credit cards.
  • The service allows users to link Scapia Federal RuPay and Scapia BOBCARD RuPay credit cards for instant UPI payments and rewards.
  • The platform provides features including a custom UPI ID, first-time payment alerts, high-value transaction notifications, and consolidated spend tracking.
  • The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in India processed approximately 20 billion transactions in February 2026.
  • The 2026 Spring Release includes two-click credit card bill payments via the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS).
  • Scapia partners with Federal Bank and BOBCARD to provide co-branded credit cards for domestic and international use.
  • The platform has expanded to include flights, buses, trains, stays, visas, experiences, international airport privileges, and financial services.

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Razorpay launches AI-powered Agent Studio for payment automation (Mid of March) ▼
  • Razorpay has launched Agent Studio, described as the world’s first artificial intelligence (AI) platform for payments built on Anthropic’s Claude Agent Software Development Kit (SDK).
  • The platform was unveiled at the FTX 2026 event to automate business tasks including dispute resolution, cart recovery, and cash-flow forecasting.
  • Razorpay introduced an Agentic Experience Platform that enables businesses to manage payment operations through natural-language commands instead of traditional dashboards.
  • The AI agents can automatically intervene during abandoned purchases and integrate with third-party platforms such as Shopify, Shiprocket, and WhatsApp.
  • The company is integrating these capabilities into in-app commerce with partners including Zomato, Swiggy, and PVR Inox.
  • The initiative builds on previous developments with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and technology firms Anthropic and OpenAI.
  • The platform allows businesses to complete onboarding by submitting basic details such as Permanent Account Number (PAN) and website information.
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) grants ZET TPAP licence for RuPay credit-card UPI payments. (End of January) ▼
  • ZET secured NPCI approval for a Third-Party Application Provider licence.
  • ZET integrates UPI payments with credit card rewards using RuPay’s UPI-on-credit-card capability.
  • ZET expects monthly UPI transactions via credit cards to reach about Rs 100 crore.
  • ZET’s platform has around 10 lakh eligible users, nearly 75 percent of whom are first-time credit card users.
  • ZET’s UPI ecosystem is powered by Juspay’s technology stack and enabled through a partnership with RBL Bank.
IDFC First Bank launches secured RuPay credit card with up to 5% cashback and no income proof requirement. (Mid of February) ▼
  • IDFC First Bank has launched the Hello Cashback secured RuPay credit card backed by a minimum fixed deposit of Rs 10,000.
  • The card offers 3% cashback on the first Rs 10,000 of online spends per statement cycle and 5% beyond that, capped at Rs 1,000.
  • A flat 1% cashback applies to UPI payments via the bank’s app, in-store swipes, and essentials including utilities, rent, education, insurance, jewellery, FASTag, Government payments, and wallet loads, raising the monthly cap to Rs 1,500.
  • The credit limit is set at 100% of the fixed deposit, and users continue to earn fixed deposit interest alongside cashback.
  • Joining fee of Rs 1,000 is waived until 31 March 2026; annual fee of Rs 1,000 is waived at Rs 2 lakh spends and halved at Rs 1 lakh spends.
  • The card provides Rs 2 lakh personal accident cover, Rs 25,000 purchase protection, and fuel surcharge waivers.
South Indian Bank (SIB) launches RuPay Contactless SIB Paytag Sticker for tap-and-pay transactions. (End of December) ▼
  • South Indian Bank (SIB) introduces the RuPay Contactless SIB Paytag Sticker, an NFC-enabled payment instrument.
  • The compact NFC sticker can be affixed to mobile phones, wallets, or cardholders.
  • Customers can make tap-and-pay transactions at contactless POS terminals without carrying a physical debit card.
  • No PIN is required for purchases up to ₹5,000; PIN authentication is mandatory for transactions above ₹5,000.
  • SIB Paytag can be used at all contactless POS terminals.
  • Online e-commerce payments are possible by viewing card details through the SIB Mirror+ app.

Tata Steel signs MoU with University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB) to develop low-carbon steelmaking technologies.

[University of Science and Technology Beijing, Tata Steel]

Key Updates:

  • Tata Steel signed the MoU with University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB) in Beijing on Monday.
  • Research teams from Tata Steel, Tata Steel Research and Innovation Limited and USTB will jointly work on scrap-based steelmaking, steel waste valorisation, end-product performance, and carbon capture and utilisation technologies.
  • The collaboration will use USTB's academic expertise and its experimental and pilot-scale facilities to test and scale up technologies for industrial application.
  • Subodh Pandey, Vice President - Technology, R&D, NMB and Graphene, Tata Steel, stated that the partnership aims to co-create technologies advancing Tata Steel’s sustainability goals.
  • Prof Shuqiang Jiao, Vice President of USTB, noted that USTB and Tata Steel share a long-standing partnership and will combine USTB's metallurgy and materials science expertise with Tata Steel's industrial strengths.

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National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB) partners with TraceXero Technologies to advance carbon capture and utilisation in cement sector. (Mid of March) ▼
  • The National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB) has partnered with TraceXero Technologies to develop and technically validate carbon capture and utilisation technologies for the cement sector.
  • TraceXero Technologies is a start-up focused on industrial decarbonization and carbon capture solutions.
  • The cement sector contributes about 7 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions and is considered a difficult-to-abate sector due to its process-related emissions.
  • Carbon Capture and Utilization has been identified as one of the critical levers to support the goal of Net Zero in the cement industry.
  • TraceXero has been developing a technology that captures carbon dioxide using a proprietary solvent process and converts it into graphitic carbon and eventually graphene.
  • The European Union is imposing a carbon tax (carbon border adjustment mechanism) on certain sectors.
NMDC Limited and Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) partner for indigenous mining technologies (Start of March) ▼
  • NMDC Limited (NMDC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) to strengthen research and academic collaboration in the mineral and metals sector.
  • The partnership focuses on joint research in iron ore beneficiation and agglomeration, green steelmaking technologies, and alternate ironmaking using indigenous raw materials.
  • Both institutions will collaborate on advanced modelling and simulation of mining and metallurgical processes.
  • The initiative includes the extraction of critical and rare earth minerals from primary and secondary sources to enhance India’s mineral security.
  • The collaboration covers digital transformation domains such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicle operations, Mining 4.0 frameworks, and drone-based surveying.
  • The MoU was signed in the presence of IITH Director B. S. Murty and NMDC Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Amitava Mukherjee.
Ministry of Steel targets 300 MT steel capacity by 2030 and 500 MT by 2047. (End of January) ▼
  • India will host Bharat Steel 2026 in New Delhi to spotlight green and resilient steelmaking.
  • The two-day summit expects more than 700 international delegates across governments, public sector enterprises, private companies, start-ups and investors.
  • The Ministry of Steel’s 2024 Green Steel Roadmap envisages greater use of renewable energy, pilot projects for green hydrogen, carbon capture utilisation and storage, and increased scrap use.
  • The Production Linked Incentive scheme for specialty steel aims to shift output from commodity-grade to higher-grade steels for automotive, aerospace, defence and infrastructure.
Maharashtra signs MoUs for Innovation City and Small Modular Reactors (SMR) at World Economic Forum (WEF) (End of January) ▼
  • The Tata Group has pledged to invest $11 billion in developing the ecosystem for India's first ‘Innovation City' near Navi Mumbai airport.
  • The investments are in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), data centres, quantum processing, renewable energy, green skill, electric vehicles, urban transformation, green steel, shipbuilding, sustainability, fintech, digital infrastructure and textiles.
  • Maharashtra will also be the first in the country to set up small modular reactors (SMR) for generating atomic electricity.
  • The initiative is in line with the passage of Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill in Parliament.
  • The state has also signed an MoU with US-based Supervity AI to set up the world's first AI Global Capability Centre (GCC) hub in BKC.
  • The state has held talks with govt nuclear energy entities in India and Russia to fulfill the power demand of data centres.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) wins Central Banking Initiative of the Year Award for launching .bank.in domain

[Reserve Bank of India]

Key Updates:

  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) received the Initiative of the Year Award from London-based Central Banking for creating the .bank.in domain.
  • India became the first country globally to mandate a secure and exclusive Internet domain for its banking system.
  • Only RBI-regulated entities are permitted to use the .bank.in domain to combat phishing and look-alike website frauds.
  • Banks were mandated to migrate their net banking websites to the .bank.in domain by 31 October 2025.
  • Major banks including SBI, HDFC, and ICICI have migrated their websites to the new domain format www.bankname.bank.in.
  • The initiative involved the Indian government, NIXI, IDRBT, and banks according to an official statement.

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Indian Banks' Association (IBA) honours Karnataka Bank with multiple Banking Technology Awards. (Mid of January) ▼
  • Karnataka Bank won the Winner title in the 'Best Fintech & DPI Adoption' category.
  • Karnataka Bank was adjudged Runner-up in the 'Best Tech Talent' category.
  • Karnataka Bank received Special Mention in the 'Best Technology Bank' category.
  • Karnataka Bank received Special Mention in the 'Best Digital Financial Inclusion' category.
  • Karnataka Bank received Special Mention in the 'Best Digital Sales' category.
Indian Banks' Association (IBA) honours Karnataka Bank with multiple Banking Technology Awards (Mid of January) ▼
  • Karnataka Bank won the 'Best Fintech & DPI Adoption' category at the IBA Banking Technology Awards.
  • Karnataka Bank was adjudged runner-up in the 'Best Tech Talent' category.
  • Karnataka Bank received special mention in 'Best Technology Bank', 'Best Digital Financial Inclusion', and 'Best Digital Sales' categories.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) grants Payment Aggregator (PA) licences to In-Solutions Global Ltd (ISG) (Mid of February) ▼
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted final authorisations to In-Solutions Global Ltd (ISG) to operate as a Payment Aggregator (PA).
  • The authorisations cover three specific categories: Online (PA-O), Physical/Offline (PA-P), and Cross-Border (PA-CB).
  • The combined licences will enable ISG to provide a unified onboarding and settlement environment for online transactions, in-person payments, and cross-border flows.
  • The company also holds an International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) licence and international regulatory permissions to activate global payment corridors.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) widens Payment Aggregator authorization for Innoviti Technologies to cover physical in-store payments. (Mid of January) ▼
  • Innoviti Technologies received RBI Certificate of Authorization to operate as a Payment Aggregator under the Payments and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
  • The authorization now covers both online and physical in-store payment transactions.
  • Innoviti already processes over ₹80,000 crore annually across 2,000+ cities and 50,000+ merchants.

NPCI BHIM Services (NBSL) appoints MS Dhoni as brand ambassador for BHIM Payments App.

[NPCI BHIM Services]

Key Updates:

  • NPCI BHIM Services (NBSL) has appointed former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as brand ambassador for BHIM Payments App.
  • The partnership aims to strengthen trust and confidence in digital payments as BHIM enters its next growth phase.
  • Lalitha Nataraj, MD and CEO of NBSL, stated the objective is to position BHIM as the preferred payments app for every Indian household.

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SBI General Insurance appoints Pankaj Tripathi as brand ambassador to promote financial fitness. (Start of March) ▼
  • SBI General Insurance has appointed actor Pankaj Tripathi as its brand ambassador.
  • The company launched the campaign ‘Chuniye Bharosa, Apno Sa’ to build trust through consistent care.
  • A new health insurance film features Tripathi as a quiet, dependable family presence.
  • The campaign aims to make healthcare in India more accessible through product innovation and transparent claim settlements.
  • The integrated campaign will be amplified across Print, TV, OOH, OTT and social media platforms.
Jasprit Bumrah joined Uniqlo as brand ambassador for India. (Mid of March) ▼
  • 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.
Shikhar Dhawan appointed brand ambassador of Delhi Khel Mahakumbh by Delhi Government (Mid of February) ▼
  • Shikhar Dhawan, former India cricketer and Arjuna Awardee, has been appointed as the brand ambassador of the inaugural Delhi Khel Mahakumbh.
  • The Delhi Khel Mahakumbh is an initiative of the Directorate of Education and Sports, Government of NCT of Delhi.
  • The event aims to strengthen grassroots sports participation and talent identification across Delhi.
  • The inaugural edition will be held from February 13 across 16 venues in the capital.
  • Sports included are basketball, football, athletics, kabaddi, wrestling, squash, and volleyball.
  • Participation is expected from thousands of young athletes representing all 12 districts of Delhi.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni named goodwill ambassador for Pune Grand Tour 2026 (Mid of January) ▼
  • Mahendra Singh Dhoni was named the goodwill ambassador for the Pune Grand Tour 2026, India’s first international cycling road race.
  • The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 is a UCI 2.2 category multi-stage, five-day continental road cycling race for men.
  • The race covers a 437-km route across the Deccan Plateau and the Sahyadri range.
  • A total of 171 riders from 29 teams across 35 countries will participate in the event.
  • India will field two teams: the Indian National Team led by Naveen John and the Indian Development Team, featuring a total of 12 Indian riders with four substitutes.

Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) Scheme Launched with ₹497 Crore Outlay

Key Updates:

  • The Government of India introduced the Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) scheme with a total budget outlay of ₹497 crore.
  • The Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) will implement the scheme to support exporters affected by disruptions from the West Asia conflict.
  • The RELIEF scheme covers export consignments to approximately 17 countries where global reinsurers have reduced coverage, including routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
  • The scheme provides enhanced insurance coverage of up to 100% for losses in eligible cases, compared to the standard 70-80% risk cover currently provided by the ECGC.
  • The package includes automatic extensions of export obligations and logistical support to assist smaller exporters facing high freight rates and limited working capital.
  • The intervention applies to both shipments already dispatched during the disruption window and upcoming exports.

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National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) signs MoUs with research institutes for disaster policy research (End of February) ▼
  • The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three research institutes to enhance disaster management policy research and risk reduction.
  • The collaboration involves the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) and the CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR).
  • The partnership establishes a collaborative framework for academic programmes, capacity building, and effective policy communication to bridge the gap between scientific and policy communities.
  • CSIR-NIScPR is tasked with spearheading academic programmes and policy research to ensure effective public engagement.
  • The NDMA, AcSIR, and CSIR-NIScPR have launched a PhD programme in disaster management to nurture future experts in the field.
  • The initiative aims to develop research-based solutions for disaster resilience in alignment with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) records India's total exports at US$ 790.86 billion for April 2025-February 2026 (Mid of March) ▼
  • 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.
Export Promotion Mission (EPM) ₹25,060-crore seven-point plan to boost exports (End of February) ▼
  • Export Promotion Mission (EPM) launched by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal with ₹25,060-crore outlay over six years.
  • Live Events Direct E-Commerce Credit Facility offers up to ₹50-lakh credit with 90% guarantee for digital exporters.
  • Overseas Inventory Credit Facility provides up to ₹5-crore credit, 75% guarantee and 2.75% interest subvention capped at ₹15-lakh per year.
  • Interest subvention of 2.75% on export factoring through RBI- or IFSCA-recognised entities, capped at ₹50-lakh per MSME annually.
  • Trade Regulations, Accreditation and Compliance Enablement (TRACE) reimburses 60% of certification costs under Positive List and 75% under Priority Positive List with annual ceiling of ₹25-lakh per entity.
  • Facilitating Logistics, Overseas Warehousing and Fulfilment (FLOW) gives up to 30% support for approved overseas warehousing costs over three years.
  • Logistics Interventions for Freight and Transport (LIFT) reimburses up to 30% of eligible freight expenses, capped at ₹20-lakh per year for exporters in northeastern and hilly regions.
  • INSIGHT programme covers 50% of project costs for trade intelligence, up to 100% for government or Indian mission proposals.
Market Access Support Scheme Rs 4,531-cr for Exporters (Start of January) ▼
  • The government launched Rs 4,531 crore market access support for exporters under which financial support will be provided to participate in activities such as international fairs and exhibitions.
  • Rs 4,531 crore will be allocated over six years (2025-31) and Rs 500 crore has been earmarked for 2025-26.
  • Structured financial and institutional support will be provided for Buyer-Seller Meets, participation in international trade fairs and exhibitions, and Mega Reverse Buyer-Seller Meets organised in India.
  • A minimum participation of 35 per cent MSMEs has been mandated for supported events, with special prioritisation for new geographies and smaller markets.
  • Small exporters with export turnover of up to Rs 75 lakh in the preceding year will be provided partial airfare support.

RISA: Timeless Tribal launched to globalise tribal crafts

Key Updates:

  • Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) launched 'RISA: Timeless Tribal' brand at Sunder Nursery to position tribal crafts in premium global markets.
  • Brand name 'RISA' is derived from 'Risa', a traditional handwoven textile of Tripura.
  • First phase covers 10 clusters featuring Eri and Muga silk of Assam, Santal cotton of Jharkhand, Changpa Pashmina of Ladakh, Kotpad cotton of Odisha, Dongria and Toda embroidery of Odisha and Tamil Nadu, and handicrafts Dokhra metal art, Longpi pottery, and Turtuk brassware.
  • Designers Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, Manish Tripathi, Anju Modi, Gaurav Jai Gupta, and Sameera Dalvi onboarded to reposition tribal products in luxury markets.
  • Initiative includes design intervention, capacity building with skill training, infrastructure development of weaving clusters and finishing units, and eco-friendly premium packaging designed by National Institute of Design (NID) Haryana.

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ITDC–Ministry of Tribal Affairs launch capacity building programme for tribal homestay owners (Mid of March) ▼
  • 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.
Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 showcases tribal art, culture and cuisine in Delhi. (Mid of March) ▼
  • 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.
District-Led Textiles Transformation (DLTT) initiative to create Global Export Champions and self-reliant hubs (Mid of January) ▼
  • Ministry of Textiles unveiled the District-Led Textiles Transformation (DLTT) initiative to transform 100 high-potential districts into Global Export Champions and elevate 100 Aspirational Districts into self-reliant hubs.
  • Districts were categorized into Champion Districts and Aspirational Districts using a data-driven scoring methodology based on Export Performance, MSME Ecosystem, and Workforce Presence.
  • Champion Districts interventions include upgrading to Mega Common Facility Centres, integrating Industry 4.0, and facilitating direct Export Market Linkages.
  • Aspirational Districts interventions include basic skilling and certification, establishing Raw Material Banks, and promoting micro-enterprises through Self-Help Groups and Cooperatives.
  • The initiative emphasizes Purvodaya convergence in east and northeast zones for tribal belt development, connectivity improvement, and Geographical Indication tagging of cultural handicrafts.
Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2026 themed with Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya (Start of February) ▼
  • The Surajkund International Crafts Mela is organized annually in February near the Delhi–Haryana border.
  • Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya are the designated partner states for the 2026 edition of the fair.
  • The event features the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative of Uttar Pradesh, showcasing regional specialities.
  • Specific products highlighted under the ODOP showcase include glass bangles from Firozabad, perfumes from Kannauj, and Black Pottery from Azamgarh.
  • The fair also displays Bhadohi carpets and traditional textiles such as Chikankari and Zardozi from Uttar Pradesh.
  • The mela serves as a platform for master artisans, weavers, and folk artists from across India and several international partner countries.

One Nation One Election: JPC tenure extended till Monsoon session

Key Updates:

  • Lok Sabha extended the tenure of the Joint Committee of Parliament (JPC) examining simultaneous polls Bills till the last week of the Monsoon Session.
  • The JPC is chaired by senior BJP MP PP Chaudhary and has 39 members.
  • The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 were introduced on 17 December 2024 and referred to the JPC.
  • The JPC held its first meeting on 8 January 2024 and has met 17 times so far.
  • The JPC received its fourth extension during the Winter Session last year.
  • EAC-PM working paper estimates ONOE could cut polling personnel deployment by 28 % or 26 lakh personnel.
  • Simultaneous polls could save around 1.4 crore personnel-days over a five-year cycle according to the EAC-PM paper.
  • Election Commission estimates nine polling personnel are needed for separate polls but only six for simultaneous polls.

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National Voters’ Day observed on January 25 (End of January) ▼
  • National Voters’ Day is celebrated every year on January 25 to mark the establishment of the Election Commission of India (ECI) on January 25, 1950.
  • The day was first observed in 2011 and 2025 marks the 14th National Voters’ Day.
  • The minimum voting age in India was lowered from 21 to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment that came into effect in 1988.
  • Key objectives of the day are to encourage voter registration, promote ethical and informed voting, highlight the importance of free and fair elections, and strengthen democracy through public participation.
Supreme Court clarifies DGP appointment rules: Follow state law or Prakash Singh guidelines (Mid of March) ▼
  • 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.
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) receives Rs 1.51 lakh crore additional outlay with digital mapping (Mid of March) ▼
  • Union Cabinet approved an additional Rs 1.51 lakh crore for Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) till 2028.
  • Total scheme outlay till 2028 set at Rs 8.70 lakh crore, with Centre’s share of Rs 3.59 lakh crore including Rs 2.08 lakh crore allocated in 2019.
  • National digital framework ‘Sujalam Bharat’ will map the drinking water supply system from source to tap.
  • Every village will be assigned a unique Sujal Gaon/Service Area ID under the new digital framework.
  • Gram Panchayats and Village Water & Sanitation Committees will certify works and declare ‘Har Ghar Jal’ only after confirming in-village operation and maintenance mechanisms.
Randhir Singh to vacate Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) presidency; Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani set to succeed. (End of January) ▼
  • Randhir Singh became the first Indian elected as Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) president in September 2024 for a four-year term until 2028.
  • His presidency will end prematurely on 26 January 2026 after around 17 months due to ill-health, with a new election scheduled during the OCA General Assembly in Tashkent.
  • Qatar Olympic Committee president Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani is the lone candidate and will be elected as the new OCA chief on 26 January 2026.
  • Randhir Singh, 79, had served as OCA acting president since 2021 before formally taking office in 2024.
  • He previously served as Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) from 1987 to 2012 and was an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member from 2001 to 2014.

Small Hydro Power Scheme Approved with ₹2,584.60 Crore Outlay

Key Updates:

  • The Union Cabinet approved a ₹2,584.60 crore scheme to support small hydro power projects for the period between the financial years 2026–27 and 2030–31.
  • The scheme targets the addition of approximately 1,500 MW of capacity through projects with individual capacities ranging from 1 MW to 25 MW.
  • For North Eastern states and districts along international borders, central financial assistance is set at up to ₹3.6 crore per MW or 30 per cent of the project cost, capped at ₹30 crore per project.
  • In other states, the government will provide financial support of up to ₹2.4 crore per MW or 20 per cent of the project cost, with a maximum cap of ₹20 crore.
  • An allocation of ₹30 crore has been earmarked for state and central agencies to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for approximately 200 projects.
  • The initiative is expected to attract an investment of around ₹15,000 crore and generate 51 lakh person-days of employment during the construction phase.

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Kamala Hydroelectric Project Approved with ₹26,070 Crore Outlay (Start of January) ▼
  • The Public Investment Board (PIB) approved the ₹26,070-crore, 1,720 MW Kamala hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • The project will be implemented on a build-own-operate-transfer basis through a joint venture company, with NHPC (NHPC) holding 74% equity and the government of Arunachal Pradesh holding 26%.
  • The project is expected to generate nearly 6,870 million units of green energy annually and provide flood relief in the Brahmaputra valley.
  • The central government will provide grants of ₹1,340 crore for enabling infrastructure and ₹4,744 crore for the flood moderation component.
  • The project involves the construction of a 216-metre-high concrete gravity dam and an underground powerhouse on the Kamala River with a scheduled completion period of 96 months.
  • The project is estimated to have a levelised tariff of ₹5.97 per unit and will generate approximately 300 direct jobs and 2,500 contract jobs during peak construction.
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.
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.
NITI Aayog Unveils ASSET Blueprint for Andhra Pradesh Clean Energy Hub by 2035 with ₹7.5 Lakh Crore Investment (Start of February) ▼
  • National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) unveiled a draft blueprint under the Accelerating Sustainable State Energy Transition (ASSET) platform to transform Andhra Pradesh into a top renewable energy hub by 2035.
  • The plan proposes a total sectoral investment of ₹7.5 lakh crore, comprising ₹3.3 - ₹3.4 lakh crore for the state energy transition and ₹4 - ₹4.2 lakh crore for a renewable energy export hub.
  • Private players are expected to contribute 90% of the total investment, which is projected to create 5-6 lakh new jobs.
  • For domestic needs, the state aims to add 35 Gigawatt (GW) of solar, 12 GW of wind, and 55-60 Gigawatt-hour (GWh) of storage capacity by 2035.
  • The export-oriented capacity targets include 30 GW of solar, 25-30 GW of wind, and 10-12 GW of pumped storage projects for national supply.
  • Infrastructure investments include ₹65,000-₹70,000 crore for transmission modernisation through green corridors and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) lines, plus ₹40,000 crore for distribution networks.
  • NITI Aayog estimates power purchase costs will fall to ₹3.90 - ₹4 per unit, while supply costs will be maintained below ₹6 per unit.
  • The blueprint is scheduled for finalisation by March 2026, with implementation beginning in mid-March 2026 under the monitoring of a dedicated Energy War Room.

ALMM framework extended to solar ingots and wafers from 1 June 2028

[Ministry of New and Renewable Energy]

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) extended the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) to cover solar ingots and wafers effective 1 June 2028.
  • Only projects using wafers from ALMM-listed manufacturers will be allowed after 1 June 2028, including net-metering and open-access projects.
  • ALMM List-III for wafers will be notified once at least three independent domestic manufacturers with a combined capacity of 15 GW are available.
  • Bids submitted under Section 63 of the Electricity Act after seven days from publication of List-III must specify use of ALMM-compliant wafers.
  • Manufacturers seeking inclusion in the wafer list must have equivalent ingot manufacturing capacity.
  • From the effective date, ALMM List-I for modules will include only those modules made using ALMM-listed cells and wafers.
  • Domestic module capacity under ALMM has increased from about 8.2 GW in 2021 to around 172 GW currently, while solar cell capacity has reached about 27 GW.

Similar Coverage

Government promotes domestic recycling and circular economy in solar sector (Mid of March) ▼
  • 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.
Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM) approved with over ₹7,000 crore outlay (End of December) ▼
  • The Government has approved over 7 thousand crore rupees for the ‘Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets’ (REPM).
  • REPM aims to build India’s first integrated domestic manufacturing ecosystem for high-value magnets and create 6,000 metric tonnes per annum capacity spanning the entire value chain from rare-earth oxides to finished magnets.
  • The Ministry of Mines has entered into bilateral agreements with mineral-rich countries, including Australia, Argentina and Zambia, to support the initiative.
Indian Army joins National Additive Manufacturing Symposium 2026 to advance defence indigenisation (Mid of March) ▼
  • The Indian Army participated in the National Additive Manufacturing Symposium (NAMS) 2026 organised by the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing (NCAM) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) at SCOPE Convention Centre, New Delhi.
  • Lt Gen Rajiv Kumar Sahni, Director General of the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (DG EME), led the Indian Army delegation comprising Maj Gen Shivendra Kumar Bhattacharya and Maj Gen P S Bindra.
  • DG EME underlined additive manufacturing’s role in Combat Force Regeneration at the battlefield edge, rapid prototyping, and sustaining unmanned systems against emerging "Drone Tsunami".
  • Panel discussion titled "AM for Strategic Autonomy and Enhanced Combat Force Regeneration: Smart Manufacturing for Defence Applications" examined integration of additive manufacturing with digital twin frameworks, predictive maintenance, and data-enabled decision tools.
  • Discussions addressed decentralised production, forward-area manufacturing, supply-chain compression, lifecycle sustainment, and challenges of material qualification, certification protocols, interoperability, and cyber-physical security.
  • Industry experts presented metal additive manufacturing advances such as topology optimisation, lattice structures, and light-weighting for high-performance defence platforms.
  • Academia, represented by IIT Delhi and 3D Graphy, focused on quality assurance, standardisation, non-destructive evaluation, in-situ monitoring, and simulation-driven digital twins for certified outputs.
TEXMiN and Russia's GIREDMET sign MoU for rare earth and critical mineral technologies (End of February) ▼
  • TEXMiN Foundation (TEXMiN), the Technology Translation Research Park under the Department of Science & Technology (DST) at Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad (IIT (ISM) Dhanbad), signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Russia's GIREDMET.
  • GIREDMET, formally the State Research and Design Institute of Rare Metal Industry, is a research institute under the Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation.
  • The agreement was signed during the Industry-Institute Interaction 2026 (III-2026) conclave and exhibition held at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.
  • The partnership aims to establish a framework for cooperation across the mining value chain, including exploration, mineral beneficiation, extraction, separation, refining, and advanced materials development.
  • A key focus area is the development of high-coercivity permanent magnet blocks based on neodymium-iron-boron (Nd-Fe-B), supported by a complete rare earth metallurgical cycle.
  • The collaboration will explore hydrometallurgical recycling technologies for lithium-ion batteries to recover lithium, nickel, and cobalt.
  • The institutions will develop recovery solutions for critical minerals from legacy mine dumps, tailings, and low-grade or complex ores.
  • The planned work includes digital twin-enabled smart processing plants integrating artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and sensor systems.
  • The initiative aligns with India's National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) and Russia's Federal Project for the Development of Rare Metal Industry.
  • Representatives from TEXMiN and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad will participate in the International Congress on Rare Metals, Materials and Related Technologies (RAREMET-2026) in Moscow from 20 to 22 May 2026.

Gyan Bharatam Mission launches nationwide survey to map India’s manuscript heritage

[Ministry of Culture]

Key Updates:

  • Ministry of Culture (MoC) will conduct a three-month nationwide survey from Monday to map India’s manuscript heritage.
  • Survey teams will identify manuscripts in institutions, private collections and with individual custodians starting at district level.
  • Discovered manuscripts will be geotagged and uploaded in real time through the Gyan Bharatam mobile application.
  • The mission aims to create a consolidated database and national digital repository on the Gyan Bharatam Mission central portal.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Gyan Bharatam Mission in the Union Budget 2025–26 and described it as the proclamation of India's culture, literature and consciousness.
  • State and district-level committees chaired by chief secretaries and district magistrates have been set up to oversee the survey.
  • Existing digitised collections exceeding one million manuscripts held by institutions and state governments will be integrated into the central platform.

Similar Coverage

Gyan Bharatam initiative launched in Union Budget 2025-26 (Start of February) ▼
  • The Gyan Bharatam initiative was launched in the Union Budget 2025-26 to digitise and preserve India's manuscript heritage.
  • The Union Ministry of Culture is the guiding authority for the initiative, which aligns with the Viksit Bharat 2047 national growth vision.
  • Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat confirmed a funding allocation of Rs 491.66 crore for the project to be implemented between 2025 and 2031.
  • The initiative has successfully digitised more than 7.5 lakh manuscripts, with 1.29 lakh currently accessible online.
  • The project infrastructure includes 28 cluster centres and 17 independent centres established across various states and Union Territories (UTs).
  • Technical partners are engaged to enhance digitisation processes and infrastructure using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.
Uttar Pradesh Digital Libraries in Gram Panchayats to Provide Rural Youth Access to Competitive-Exam Resources (Start of January) ▼
  • The Uttar Pradesh government is setting up state-of-the-art digital libraries in every gram panchayat secretariat.
  • Each library will cost approximately ₹4 lakh and include books worth ₹2 lakh and modern furniture worth ₹70,000.
  • Facilities will include Wi-Fi, LED screens, CCTV cameras, computer systems, e-books, video/audio lectures, quizzes, and millions of digital educational materials.
  • The purchase of IT equipment is expected to be completed by January 30 and furniture by January 26, after which the libraries will be ready for operation.
  • The village head and panchayat secretary will manage the libraries, with assistant officers conducting regular monitoring.
CCRAS–CSU workshop transliterates five rare Ayurvedic manuscripts in Kerala. (End of January) ▼
  • Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and Central Sanskrit University (CSU) completed a 15-day Transliteration Capacity Building Workshop on Ayurvedic Manuscripts at CSU Puranattukara (Guruvayoor) Campus, Thrissur, Kerala from 12 to 25 January 2026.
  • The workshop trained 33 scholars—18 from Ayurveda and 15 from Sanskrit—in manuscriptology, palaeography, technical Ayurvedic terminology, and scripts including Grantha and Vattezhuthu.
  • Five rare unpublished manuscripts were transliterated: Dhanwanthari (Vaidya) Chinthamani (146 palm-leaf pages from Grantha to Sanskrit), Dravyashuddhi (110 pages Grantha to Sanskrit), Vaidyam (59 pages Medieval Malayalam to Malayalam), Roga Nirnaya Part I (75 pages Medieval Malayalam to Malayalam), and Vividharogangal (78 pages Vattezhuthu to Malayalam and Sanskrit).
  • The event was held under the MoU between CCRAS and CSU as part of CCRAS’s national initiative to document, digitise and enable research-based utilisation of classical Ayurvedic manuscripts.
  • Prof. Vaidya Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General of CCRAS, stated this was the second such workshop; the first at CSU Puri Campus, Odisha, transliterated 14 Ayurvedic manuscripts.
Shrinivasa Varakhedi presented 233-year-old Valmiki Ramayana manuscript to Nripendra Misra (End of January) ▼
  • Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice Chancellor of Central Sanskrit University, presented the Valmiki Ramayana manuscript with Tattvadipikatika commentary to Nripendra Misra, Chairman of the Executive Council of Prime Ministers Museum and Library.
  • The manuscript was gifted to the Antarrashtriya Ram Katha Sangrahalaya (International Ram Katha Museum) in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
  • The 233-year-old manuscript, written in Sanskrit in Devanagari script, includes five principal kandas: Balakanda, Aranyakanda, Kiskindhakanda, Sundarakanda, and Yuddhakanda.

Tripura NAVCHETNA initiative promotes technology-driven education

[Tripura]

Key Updates:

  • Tripura Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy announced NAVCHETNA to set up Innovation and Technology Laboratories in institutions.
  • NAVCHETNA will focus on Artificial Intelligence, robotics, Internet of Things, coding and automation.
  • Tripura budget FY 2026–27 allocated Rs 914.82 crore to Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), a 6.34 per cent increase.
  • ‘Mukhyamantri Antarjatik Kormosangstan Prokolpa’ launched to facilitate overseas employment for nursing, ITI, diploma and graduate students.
  • State to establish a Drone School offering DGCA-approved licences for drone pilots.
  • Foreign Language School to be set up in Agartala in collaboration with Ramakrishna Mission.

Similar Coverage

Uttarakhand FY 2026-27 Budget of Rs 1.11 lakh crore through GYAN Model (Mid of March) ▼
  • Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami presented the state budget of Rs 1.11 lakh crore for Financial Year 2026-27.
  • The budget was presented on the first day of the session after the Governor's address, a first in state history.
  • The GYAN model targets poor, youth, farmers (annadata), and women as four key development pillars.
  • Annapurti Scheme allocation is Rs 1,300 crore.
  • Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) allocation is Rs 298.35 crore and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) is Rs 56.12 crore.
  • Rs 25 crore is allocated for housing for economically weaker sections.
  • Free travel in Transport Corporation buses for designated passengers gets Rs 42 crore.
  • Cooking gas subsidy provision is Rs 43.03 crore.
  • Social security pensions (Divyang Pension, Teelu Rauteli Pension, others) receive Rs 167.05 crore.
  • Disaster-affected family rehabilitation fund is Rs 25 crore.
  • Chief Minister Self-Employment Scheme allocation is Rs 60 crore.
  • Migration Prevention Scheme gets Rs 10 crore.
  • Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Rural Skill Development Scheme allocation is Rs 62.29 crore.
  • Assistance to non-government colleges is Rs 155.38 crore.
  • Shiksha Mitras honorarium provision is Rs 10 crore.
  • Chief Minister Yuva Bhavishya Nirman Scheme receives Rs 10 crore.
  • Trout Promotion Scheme allocation is Rs 39.90 crore.
  • Mission Apple gets Rs 42 crore.
  • Incentive for milk producers is Rs 32 crore.
  • Deendayal Upadhyay Cooperative Farmers Welfare Scheme allocation is Rs 42.50 crore.
  • Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana receives Rs 160.13 crore.
  • Millet Mission allocation is Rs 12 crore.
  • Farmers' Pension Scheme gets Rs 12.06 crore.
  • Nanda Gaura Scheme allocation is Rs 220 crore.
  • Pradhan Mantri Matritva Vandana Yojana receives Rs 47.78 crore.
  • Chief Minister Mahalakshmi Kit Scheme gets Rs 30 crore.
Goa Budget 2026-27: ₹30,195 crore outlay with ₹1,357 crore Central assistance (Start of March) ▼
  • Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant presented a ₹30,195 crore budget for 2026-27 in the Goa Legislative Assembly.
  • The budget expects ₹1,357 crore assistance from the Central government for various schemes and an additional ₹1,600 crore as special assistance from the Government of India.
  • A dedicated cell for implementing centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) will prepare detailed project reports (DPRs) for different central sector schemes.
  • The fiscal deficit is projected at ₹3,895 crore, or 2.9%, keeping borrowings at 33% of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) limit.
  • The state commercial tax department has been given a revenue target of ₹6,945 crore for 2026-27.
  • New excise licence fees raised to ₹20 lakh for Goans and ₹25 lakh for non-Goans to control new liquor outlets, restaurants, and bars.
Haryana Government unveils ₹2.23 lakh crore budget for 2026-27 with Agniveer quota and new agri power discom. (Start of March) ▼
  • Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini presented a ₹2.23 lakh crore budget for fiscal year 2026-27 in the state assembly.
  • Debt servicing consumes 29.2% of total outlay, with interest payments at ₹29,266.62 crore and public debt repayment at ₹36,101.68 crore.
  • Education and sports receive ₹23,603.69 crore, health ₹14,007.28 crore, social justice ₹17,250.72 crore, development & panchayats ₹8,703.74 crore, and home ₹8,475.01 crore.
  • Government will establish Haryana Agri Discom, a third power distribution company dedicated to the agriculture sector to supply uninterrupted electricity to over 7 lakh farmers.
  • 20% reservation for Agniveers in Haryana Police announced alongside a special recruitment drive for 1,300 personnel.
  • ₹100 crore allocated for the new Haryana Green Climate Resilience Fund.
  • World Bank approves ₹2,716 crore for the Haryana Clean Air Project.
  • Adarsh Pariksha Kendra to be set up under public-private partnership model.
  • Anti-terrorist squad (ATS) to be created under an IG-rank police officer.
  • HSIIDC will develop ‘Wedding City’ projects in Gurugram, Kharkhoda and Pinjore.
  • Modern film city to be established at Pinjore.
  • Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex, Daulatabad, upgraded to Haryana’s first Para Sports Stadium.
  • Revenue deficit projected at ₹4,293.17 crore, 2.65% of state GDP.
  • State’s share in central taxes set at 1.361% for 2026-31 per 16th Finance Commission recommendations.
Meghalaya SDG-Aligned Budget 2026–27: ₹32,023 crore outlay with 19% for infrastructure (End of February) ▼
  • Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma tabled a ₹32,023 crore SDG-aligned budget for 2026–27.
  • SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) received the highest allocation of ₹6,078 crore, 19% of the total outlay.
  • Public works department was allocated ₹3,485 crore, up from ₹2,873 crore in 2025–26.
  • Road construction and upgradation received ₹824.81 crore, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana got ₹746.67 crore, Central Road Fund ₹350 crore, and road maintenance ₹200 crore.
  • Stadium infrastructure was allocated ₹400 crore.
  • SDG 4 (quality education) was allocated ₹4,317 crore (13.48%), with the education and human resources department receiving ₹3,347 crore.
  • SDG 3 (good health and well-being) received ₹3,616 crore (11.29%), with the health and family welfare department getting ₹2,472 crore.
  • SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) was allocated ₹2,834 crore.
  • SDG 1 (no poverty) received ₹2,330 crore and SDG 2 (zero hunger) ₹2,270 crore, including ₹150 crore for supplementary nutrition.
  • SDG 7 (energy) got ₹1,296 crore, SDG 6 (water and sanitation) ₹1,366 crore, and climate action ₹593 crore.
  • 80% of the total outlay is directly linked to specific SDG targets and 20% supports enabling and institutional functions.
  • Meghalaya’s SDG Index score improved from 60 in 2020–21 to 63 in 2023–24, while its national ranking slipped from 22nd to 25th.

North Korea holds 2026 Supreme People's Assembly elections

[North Korea]

Key Updates:

  • Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) secured 99.93 per cent of votes in the March 15 parliamentary elections.
  • Voter turnout was 99.99 per cent.
  • 0.07 per cent electors voted against the WPK candidates.
  • 0.0037 per cent voters were unable to cast their votes and 0.00003 per cent abstained.
  • The Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) has 687 deputies elected from different regions.
  • For each seat only one candidate selected by the party stands and voters choose 'yes' or 'no'.

Similar Coverage

Iran appoints Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader on 8 March 2026 (Start of March) ▼
  • The 88-member Assembly of Experts named Mojtaba Khamenei, aged 56, as the new Supreme Leader of Iran.
  • The appointment follows the assassination of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint United States (US) and Israeli strikes.
  • The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian armed forces have pledged their support to the new leader.
  • Key political figures supporting the appointment include President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
  • Ali Larijani, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), is currently steering the national security strategy.
  • Sadiq Larijani serves as the head of the Expediency Council, which also backed the appointment.
  • Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf described following the new leader as a religious and national duty.
  • Mojtaba Khamenei succeeds his father, who held power since 1989 after the first Supreme Leader, Ruhollah Khomeini.
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged unwavering support for the appointment, while China opposed any targeting of the new leader.
Sanae Takaichi wins Japan general election as Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secures supermajority. (Start of February) ▼
  • Sanae Takaichi is the Prime Minister of Japan and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
  • The LDP won 316 of the 465 seats in Japan’s lower house of parliament.
  • The victory gives the LDP a supermajority, exceeding the 233 seats needed for a majority.
  • Takaichi called the snap election after three months in office to consolidate political support.
  • She has pledged to suspend the 8 percent sales tax on food to ease household burdens.
  • US President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Takaichi and announced her White House visit on March 19.
  • US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described Takaichi’s win as a 'big victory' for Japan–US relations.
  • Japan–US trade was valued at $317 billion in 2024, with around 50,000 US troops stationed in Japan.
Anutin Charnvirakul Wins Thailand General Election as Prime Minister (Start of February) ▼
  • Anutin Charnvirakul and the Bhumjaithai Party secured a victory in the Thailand general election held on 8 February 2026.
  • The Bhumjaithai Party won approximately 192 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives, according to preliminary results from the Election Commission (EC).
  • Anutin Charnvirakul assumed the role of Prime Minister following the ousting of Paetongtarn Shinawatra of the Pheu Thai party over a border crisis with Cambodia.
  • The People's Party, led by Natthaphong Rueangpanyawut, secured 117 seats and announced it would serve as the opposition.
  • A survey conducted by the National Institute for Development Administration (NIDA) correctly projected the Bhumjaithai Party as the winner of the election.
  • Voters also approved a referendum to replace the 2017 military-backed constitution by a margin of nearly two to one.
  • The Bhumjaithai Party campaign included pledges to implement a consumer subsidy programme and cancel a maritime claims agreement with Cambodia.
North Korea conducts long-range strategic cruise missile drill under Kim Jong Un (End of December) ▼
  • Kim Jong Un oversaw a long-range strategic cruise missile launching drill, state media KCNA reported.
  • The cruise missiles flew along their preset orbit above the sea west of the Korean Peninsula and accurately hit their targets.
  • Kim described the missile test as 'just a responsible exercise' given that the country 'is facing various security threats.'
  • Kim urged 'unlimited and sustained' development of the country's nuclear weapons forces.
  • State media photos showed Kim inspecting a nearly completed 8,700-ton hull at a shipyard, indicating progress on North Korea's first nuclear-powered submarine.
  • South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is expected to seek China's cooperation on addressing Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions during his planned visit to China.
  • Japan, South Korea, and the United States have conducted expanded joint air drills, including US B-52 bombers flying with Japanese fighter jets over the Sea of Japan.

Wipro opens GIFT City hub to scale AI-led BFSI transformation

[Wipro, Gujarat International Finance Tec-City]

Key Updates:

  • Wipro Ltd opened a new hub at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, to deliver AI solutions for global banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) clients.
  • The facility will focus on digital banking, capital markets, regulatory technology, risk and compliance, and core platform modernisation.
  • The hub starts with 150 seats and can scale up to 500 seats based on client demand.
  • Sanjeev Jain, Chief Operating Officer at Wipro, said the GIFT City presence is a strategic investment to scale Wipro Intelligence for the global BFSI industry.
  • Wipro posted 1.2% sequential growth in December-quarter revenue at USD 2,635.4 million on a constant currency basis.
  • Q3 margins expanded nearly 100 basis points to 17.6% from 16.7% quarter-on-quarter.
  • Wipro shares closed 2.79% lower at ₹188.87, March 19, ahead of the announcement, and have fallen 26% over the last six months.

Similar Coverage

IBM launches first Infrastructure Innovation Centre in India at Bengaluru ISDL campus (Start of March) ▼
  • IBM opened the Sangam Infrastructure Innovation Center inside its India Systems Development Lab (ISDL) campus in Bengaluru on 5 March 2026.
  • The centre will co-create secure, scalable enterprise AI solutions with clients, Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), Global System Integrators (GSIs), Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and ecosystem partners.
  • A recent IBM Institute for Business Value study found 58% of Indian organisations have raised infrastructure investments due to rising AI demand and projected a 19% growth in infrastructure budgets in 2025.
  • 43% of Indian organisations are establishing or planning AI Centers of Excellence as enterprises shift from experimentation to scaled AI deployment.
IBM opens first Infrastructure Innovation Centre in India at India Systems Development Lab (ISDL) campus (Start of March) ▼
  • International Business Machines (IBM) launched its first Infrastructure Innovation Centre named Sangam Infrastructure Innovation Centre housed within the new India Systems Development Lab (ISDL) campus.
  • The collaborative engineering hub will unite IBM systems architects and infrastructure specialists from ISDL to co-create AI solutions with clients, Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), Global System Integrators (GSIs), Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and ecosystem partners.
  • A recent IBM Institute for Business Value study found 58 per cent of Indian organisations have increased infrastructure investments due to rising AI demand and projected a 19 per cent growth in infrastructure budgets in 2025.
  • 43 per cent of organisations are establishing or planning AI Centers of Excellence as enterprises move from experimentation to scaled deployment.
Indian Army inks MoU with Indian Institute of Science (IISc)-Bangalore to build indigenous AI for digital battlefield (End of January) ▼
  • Indian Army signed an MoU with Indian Institute of Science (IISc)-Bangalore to develop a fully indigenous Artificial Intelligence (AI) system for military use.
  • The collaboration targets AI-driven real-time data processing, predictive analytics and decision-support tools tailored to modern warfare requirements.
  • IISc-Bangalore will contribute expertise in AI, machine learning, neural networks, natural language processing and autonomous systems.
  • The project aligns with Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 and the national Atmanirbhar Bharat push for self-reliant defence R&D.
  • Industry partners such as Tata Advanced Systems, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and iDEX scheme startups are expected to support hardware and software integration.
  • The initiative aims to reduce dependence on foreign vendors and strengthen India’s position against adversaries’ AI-integrated warfare systems.
  • Funding may draw from the Army’s Technology Development Fund and the newly announced INR 1 lakh crore Defence R&D corpus.
  • Ethical safeguards include robust data governance, bias mitigation and cybersecurity protocols to protect sensitive military datasets.
  • Successful prototypes could undergo trials at the Army’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) before induction within 3-5 years.
  • The partnership may extend AI interoperability to the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, embedding AI as a tri-service force multiplier.
PM Narendra Modi inaugurates India AI Impact Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam (Mid of February) ▼
  • Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi as a key component of the India AI Impact Summit.
  • The Expo spans over 70,000 square metres across 10 arenas and is designed to scale Artificial Intelligence (AI) from demonstrations to industrial deployment.
  • The event features over 300 curated exhibition pavilions and live demonstrations structured across three thematic chakras: People, Planet, and Progress.
  • A total of 13 country pavilions are featured, including France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom (UK), Africa, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia, and Tajikistan.
  • More than 600 high-potential startups are participating to showcase working AI solutions already deployed in real-world settings.
  • The five-day summit includes over 500 sessions with more than 3,250 speakers, including OpenAI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sam Altman.
  • Global leaders attending the summit include French President Emmanuel Macron, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and Brazilian President Lula da Silva.
  • The government estimates the event will attract over 2.5 lakh visitors, including international delegates and technology experts.

Ministry of Science and Technology approves quantum teaching facilities at 23 institutions under National Quantum Mission

[National Quantum Mission]

Key Updates:

  • The Union government approved establishing quantum teaching facilities or laboratories in 23 academic institutions across India under the National Quantum Mission.
  • 100 more institutions are under consideration for similar facilities to support advanced research and training in emerging quantum technologies.
  • The decision was disclosed during a joint monthly meeting of secretaries of science ministries and departments led by Minister Jitendra Singh.
  • Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood attended the meeting.
  • The meeting reviewed preparations for the next PSLV mission expected later this year and upcoming satellite launches.
  • Plans for launching the next navigation satellite for the Navy around May were discussed.
  • A large technology exhibition is proposed in New Delhi from May 11 to 13 for National Technology Day celebrations.
  • The exhibition is expected to bring together over 3,000 stakeholders and showcase more than 500 technologies and innovations.
  • The Department of Science and Technology is examining updates to manpower guidelines for project staff to align with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) framework.

Similar Coverage

BISAG-N and QNu Labs sign MoU to build quantum-resilient cybersecurity solutions (End of January) ▼
  • BISAG-N and QNu Labs have signed an MoU to develop indigenous quantum-resilient cybersecurity solutions.
  • The collaboration aims to strengthen India’s preparedness against future quantum computing threats.
  • The initiative will advance secure digital infrastructure within the country.
Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework released to integrate quantum technologies into tri-services (End of January) ▼
  • Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan released the 'Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework' to integrate quantum technologies into the tri-services.
  • The framework covers four pillars: quantum communication, quantum computing, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices.
  • It aims to prepare the armed forces for future battlefields and achieve technological dominance.
  • The document aligns with the National Quantum Mission, of which the defence forces are an integral part.
  • The Ministry of Defence stated the framework will guide the incorporation of quantum technology through joint efforts of all three services.
  • The release event was attended by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, and Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit.
Amaravati Quantum Valley to host India's first 133-qubit quantum computer with £600-million investment. (Start of February) ▼
  • Andhra Pradesh government earmarked 50 acres at Uddandarayunipalem village in Thullur mandal for the Amaravati Quantum Valley.
  • The foundation stone was laid on 7 February by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh.
  • The Valley will house India's first 133-qubit quantum computer through partnerships with IBM, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
  • The project represents a £600-million investment aligned with India's National Quantum Mission.
  • The state will sign memoranda of understanding with nine leading companies during the foundation ceremony.
  • The Quantum Valley building is scheduled for completion by August, with quantum computer installation targeted for December.
  • The initiative is expected to create approximately 88,000 jobs and train hundreds of thousands of students.
TN iTNT Hub inks LoI with XeedQ GmbH for state-backed quantum computing access (Mid of January) ▼
  • Tamil Nadu Technology Hub (iTNT) signed a Letter of Intent with Germany-based XeedQ GmbH to launch one of India’s first state-backed quantum computing programmes.
  • XeedQ will provide remote access, quantum hardware, technical expertise, and learning support.
  • Students and startups will work on an actual 4-qubit quantum computer rather than simulators or cloud-access.

WADA delays decision on potential ban of Trump from major sporting events until after World Cup

[World Anti-Doping Agency]

Key Updates:

  • The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) executive committee postponed a decision on barring government officials from major sporting events if their countries withhold dues, pushing the potential conflict with President Donald Trump and other U.S. officials until after the 2026 World Cup.
  • The U.S. has not paid its WADA dues since 2023, withholding a total of $7.3 million over 2024 and 2025 in protest of WADA’s handling of a case involving Chinese swimmers.
  • If adopted later this year, the new rule could place Trump and U.S. lawmakers on a banned list for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
  • WADA spokesman James Fitzgerald previously told The Associated Press the proposed rule would not be applied retroactively so the World Cup, LA and SLC Games would not be covered.
  • The U.S. lost its seat on the WADA executive committee after Rahul Gupta, the U.S. representative during the Biden administration, led the effort to reject the proposal in 2024.

Similar Coverage

African Union leaders gather for 39th annual summit amid Trump-era policy shifts (Mid of February) ▼
  • The 39th African Union leaders’ summit began on Friday with all 55 member states represented.
  • US President Donald Trump did not attend the summit but his second-term policies dominated discussions.
  • The White House National Security Strategy released in November devoted only three paragraphs to Africa at the end of its 29 pages.
  • Trump has dismantled the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and cancelled billions in aid programmes that had provided an estimated 26 percent of Africa’s foreign aid.
  • US direct foreign investment in Africa stood at USD 47.47 billion as of 2024.
  • The Center for Global Development estimated Trump’s aid cuts could cause 500,000 to 1,000,000 deaths annually, with evidence already seen in rising malnutrition mortality in northern Nigeria and Somalia, food insecurity in northeast Kenya and malaria deaths in northern Cameroon.
  • Service interruptions have hit the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) programmes across Africa after Trump’s funding freeze.
  • The Trump administration has pursued at least 16 preliminary bilateral public-health aid agreements with African countries including Ethiopia, Nigeria, Mozambique and Kenya under its 'America First global health strategy'.
  • In April, the US imposed custom tariffs on 20 African countries ranging from 11 percent to 50 percent, with another 29 facing a baseline 10 percent tariff; Lesotho initially faced 50 percent and Madagascar 47 percent, later reduced to 15 percent each.
  • Trump temporarily extended the African Growth and Opportunity Act only through the end of 2026, allowing eligible countries to export 1,800 products duty-free to the US.
  • The US has stopped processing immigration visas for 75 countries, including 26 African Union member states, prompting three African nations to impose reciprocal travel bans on US citizens.
International Paralympic Committee (IPC) lifts ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes for Milano-Cortina 2026 (End of February) ▼
  • The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has officially lifted the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics.
  • Athletes from Russia and Belarus will be permitted to compete under their national flags, and their national anthems will be played during medal ceremonies.
  • The IPC confirmed that National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Russia has been awarded six slots: two in Para-alpine skiing, two in Para-cross country skiing, and two in Para-snowboard.
  • NPC Belarus has been awarded four slots in total, all in the discipline of cross-country skiing.
  • The decision marks the first time the Russian flag will appear at a Winter Paralympics since 2014, following previous restrictions linked to a doping scandal and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
  • The IPC clarified that this policy change applies strictly to the Paralympics, while restrictions for the 2026 Winter Olympics remain separate.
Iran signals potential withdrawal from FIFA World Cup 2026 amid conflict with United States (Mid of March) ▼
  • Iran's Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali announced the national team would not participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026 due to military conflict with the United States (US).
  • The tournament is scheduled to be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
  • Iran has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as the new supreme leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other officials in air strikes.
  • The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) is controlled by the federal government, which will determine the final decision on participation.
  • Under Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) regulations, any withdrawing team must reimburse the $1.5 million preparation grant provided by the organisation.
  • Financial penalties for withdrawal include a minimum of 250,000 Swiss francs ($320,000) if done 30 days before the first match, increasing to 500,000 Swiss francs ($639,000) if done 29 days or less before.
  • FIFA maintains sole discretion to replace a withdrawing team, with potential candidates from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) including Iraq or the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
  • The FIFA Congress is scheduled to take place in Vancouver on April 30, which serves as a potential decision date for the tournament lineup.
United States indefinitely pauses immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries (Mid of January) ▼
  • The Trump administration announced it will stop giving out visas to nationals of dozens of countries who are seeking to move to the U.S. permanently.
  • The State Department said it would indefinitely pause the issuance of immigrant visas requested by citizens of 75 countries.
  • Officials said the pause would apply to immigrant visas, meaning those requested by people abroad who have been sponsored by American relatives or employers to move to the U.S. permanently.
  • The suspension does not affect temporary visas requested by would-be tourists and travelers seeking to come to the U.S. on a short-term basis.
  • The State Department said the 75 countries were chosen as part of an effort to bar the entry of immigrants who were likely to rely on public assistance once in the U.S.
  • The State Department did not formally publish a full list of the 75 affected nations, but said Somalia, Haiti, Iran and Eritrea are among them.
  • A list first reported by Fox News, and confirmed by the State Department to CBS News, includes countries like Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Guatemala, Pakistan and Senegal.
  • The pause on immigrant visas is set to take effect next week, on Jan. 21.

Odisha selected to host World Athletics Indoor Championships 2028

[World Indoor Athletics Championships]

Key Updates:

  • Odisha in India will host the World Athletics Indoor Championships from 3-5 March 2028.
  • Astana in Kazakhstan will host the 2030 edition of the championships from 15-17 March 2030.
  • The decisions were taken during the 240th World Athletics Council Meeting held in Torun, Poland.
  • Hefei in China was awarded the 2028 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships to be held on 9 April 2028.

Similar Coverage

India and New Zealand discuss expanding sports cooperation as 2026 marks 100 years of sporting ties (Start of March) ▼
  • Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a high-level ministerial meeting with the New Zealand sports delegation in New Delhi to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in sports.
  • The year 2026 marks 100 years of sporting ties between India and New Zealand, dating back to the 1926 Indian Army hockey tour to New Zealand.
  • The Indian delegation included Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary (Sports), senior officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Indian Olympic Association, and representatives from national sports federations.
  • Priority sports identified for collaboration include rugby, rowing, canoeing, sailing, athletics, and cycling.
  • The New Zealand delegation was led by Chris Bishop, Associate Minister for Sport and Recreation, and included Patrick John Rata, New Zealand High Commissioner to India, former international cricketer Ross Taylor, Raelene Castle, CEO of Sport New Zealand, and representatives from Hockey New Zealand, Athletics New Zealand, and Paralympics New Zealand.
  • The discussions focused on the India-New Zealand Centenary Sports Cooperation Programme 2026, a year-long initiative to commemorate the centenary of sporting ties and expand collaboration in sports development, high-performance training, innovation, and people-to-people engagement.
  • Both sides discussed organising a proposed 'India-New Zealand Sports and Culture Week' to be hosted across cities in both countries.
  • A key focus was strengthening collaboration in high-performance sports through joint training camps, coaching exchanges, and knowledge sharing in sports science, analytics, and athlete performance systems.
  • The discussions explored integrating New Zealand's coach development framework into the curriculum of the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala.
  • Both countries agreed to constitute a Joint Working Group to oversee implementation of the cooperation framework, nominate nodal officers, and establish a monitoring mechanism with periodic reviews.
Tejaswin Shankar wins heptathlon gold at Asian Indoor Athletics Championships (AIAC) 2026 (Mid of February) ▼
  • Tejaswin Shankar won the gold medal in the heptathlon at the AIAC 2026 with a championship record total of 5993 points.
  • Tejaswin Shankar broke his own national record of 5650 points, set in 2021 in the United States of America (USA), and recorded the second-best score ever by an Asian athlete.
  • Tejaswin Shankar’s victory ended a 16-year wait for an Indian heptathlon medal at the AIAC, the last being PJ Vinod’s bronze in 2010.
  • India finished sixth in the overall medal standings with five medals, comprising one gold, two silver, and two bronze.
  • Tajinderpal Singh Toor secured the silver medal in the men’s shot put with a season’s best throw of 20.05m, finishing behind Chen Chengyu of China who recorded 20.07m.
  • Pooja won the silver medal in the women’s high jump with an indoor national record of 1.87m, sharing the rank with Nadezhda Dubovitskaya of Kazakhstan.
  • Ancy Sojan, who won silver at the Asian Athletics Championships (AAC) last year, claimed the bronze medal in the women’s long jump with a 6.21m leap.
  • J Aadarsh Ram opened India’s medal account at the AIAC 2026 by winning a bronze medal in the men’s high jump event.
  • Tejaswin Shankar also holds the outdoor national records in the decathlon and men’s high jump.
Raksha Khadse announces ASMITA athletics events in 250 districts to mark International Women’s Day (Start of March) ▼
  • ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women) League athletics events will be held on 8 March 2026 in 250 districts.
  • Over two lakh girls will compete in 100m, 200m, and 400m races in Under-13, 13–18, and 18+ age groups.
  • Each venue will have five Technical Officials, ten Volunteers, one Competition Manager, one Past Champion Athlete, and one District Youth Officer.
  • A Women Technical Officials Development Workshop will run alongside referee and timekeeper training aligned with Athletics Federation of India standards.
ASMITA initiative to hold athletics events in 250 districts for 2 lakh girls (Start of March) ▼
  • Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) announced ASMITA League athletics events on 8 March 2026 in 250 districts.
  • Over 2 lakh girls will compete in 100m, 200m, 400m races across Under-13, 13–18 and 18+ age groups.
  • ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women), launched in 2021 under Khelo India Scheme, organises the league.
  • Each venue will have five Technical Officials, 10 Volunteers, one Competition Manager, one Past Champion Athlete and one District Youth Officer.
  • A Women Technical Officials Development Workshop will run parallel to train referees and timekeepers per Athletics Federation of India standards.
  • The initiative targets talent identification for 2030 Commonwealth Games Ahmedabad and India’s 2036 Olympics bid.

Hurun Richest Self-Made Women in the World 2026 list released

Key Updates:

  • Hurun Research Institute released the Richest Self-Made Women in the World 2026 list featuring 150 self-made women billionaires globally.
  • Seven celebrity women billionaires are identified: Oprah Winfrey ($3.8 billion), Kim Kardashian ($2.2 billion), Taylor Swift ($1.6 billion), Rihanna ($1.5 billion), JK Rowling ($1.3 billion), Kylie Jenner ($1.2 billion), and Beyoncé ($1 billion).
  • China leads with 78 self-made women billionaires, followed by the USA with 40.

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Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) recognises over 1.02 lakh women-led startups (Mid of March) ▼
  • 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.
Forbes lists 22-year-old Surya Midha as youngest self-made billionaire ever. (Mid of March) ▼
  • 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.
Jayshree Ullal topped Hurun India Rich List 2025 (End of December) ▼
  • Jayshree Ullal, the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Arista Networks (Arista), topped the Hurun India Rich List 2025 of the richest professional managers of Indian-origin.
  • She surpassed Satya Nadella of Microsoft and Sundar Pichai of Google in personal wealth with an estimated net worth of $5.7 billion.
  • She joined Arista in September 2008 and has led the company as its CEO for 17 years.
  • She secured the second rank among the top five generation women wealth creators under the Candere Hurun Indian Women Leaders List 2025.
  • She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering in 2025 in recognition of her professional contributions.
  • Her professional career includes previous roles at Cisco Systems, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), and Fairchild Semiconductor.
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.

World Oral Health Day 2026 observed on March 20 with theme 'A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life'

Key Updates:

  • World Oral Health Day is observed every year on March 20.
  • The theme for World Oral Health Day 2026 is 'A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life'.
  • World Oral Health Day was first celebrated on September 12, 2007.
  • The original date was chosen to mark the birthday of Dr Charles Godon, founder of the FDI World Dental Federation.
  • The observance date was changed to March 20 in 2013.

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World Obesity Day 2026 highlights 8 billion reasons to change the obesity story (Start of March) ▼
  • World Obesity Day is observed annually on 4 March and led by the World Obesity Federation.
  • The 2026 theme is '8 Billion Reasons to Change the Story'.
  • World Obesity Day was first launched in 2015 and has been observed globally on 4 March since 2020.
  • According to the World Obesity Atlas 2026, around 180 million children aged 5–19 were living with obesity in 2025 and the number could rise to about 227 million by 2040.
  • National survey data show that 24 per cent of women and 22.9 per cent of men in India are overweight or obese.
  • The World Obesity Atlas 2026 reports that nearly 14.9 million Indian children aged 5–9 years and more than 26.4 million aged 10–19 years were living with overweight or obesity in 2025.
World Cancer Day 2026 observed on February 4 with theme 'United by Unique' (Start of February) ▼
  • World Cancer Day is observed on February 4 every year.
  • The theme for World Cancer Day 2026 is 'United by Unique'.
  • The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reported an estimated 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million cancer-related deaths globally in 2022.
  • India reported over 15 lakh cancer cases in 2024, up from 13.5 lakh in 2019.
  • Cancer cases in India rose from 13.9 lakh in 2020 to 14.2 lakh in 2021, 14.6 lakh in 2022, and 14.9 lakh in 2023.
International Human Solidarity Day observed on 20 December 2025 with theme 'Solidarity for Sustainable Development: Uniting Communities for a Shared Future' (End of December) ▼
  • International Human Solidarity Day is celebrated annually on 20 December to mark the core value of solidarity in international relations and a driving force to achieve sustainable development and social justice.
  • The theme for 2025 is 'Solidarity for Sustainable Development: Uniting Communities for a Shared Future.'
  • On 22 December 2005, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 20 December as International Human Solidarity Day, recognizing solidarity as a universal value for the 21st century.
International Women's Day 2026 observed on March 8 with theme 'Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls' (Start of March) ▼
  • International Women's Day 2026 is observed globally on March 8.
  • The United Nations (UN) announced the 2026 theme as 'Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls'.
  • The UN officially recognised International Women's Day in 1975.

International Day of Happiness observed on 20 March 2026 with theme Social Media & Happiness

Key Updates:

  • The International Day of Happiness 2026 is observed on Friday, 20 March 2026, with the theme Social Media & Happiness.
  • The United Nations (UN) organises the day in partnership with Action for Happiness and the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford.
  • The observance was proclaimed through UN General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 66/281 on 12 July 2012 and was first observed on 20 March 2013.
  • The philosophical origin of the day traces to Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness (GNH) framework, introduced by King Jigme Singye Wangchuck in 1972.
  • Jayme Illien, a UN advisor and founder of the happytalism economic philosophy, led the advocacy campaign that resulted in the adoption of the UN resolution.
  • Finland retained its position as the world’s happiest country for the ninth consecutive year in 2026 with a Cantril Ladder score of 7.741.
  • The top five happiest countries in the 2026 rankings are Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
  • The World Happiness Report (WHR) 2026 is published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in partnership with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
  • The report uses the Cantril Ladder, a self-anchoring scale from 0 to 10, to rank countries based on a three-year average of Gallup World Poll responses.
  • Six variables used to explain happiness scores include GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.
  • The 2026 report incorporates WELLBYs (Well-Being-Adjusted Life Years), a metric developed at the London School of Economics (LSE), as a policy evaluation unit.
  • The 2026 theme framework includes the Choose, Connect, Curate model and the secondary pillars of Keep Calm, Stay Wise, Be Kind.

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Safer Internet Day observed on 10 February 2026 with theme Smart Tech, Safe Choices (Mid of February) ▼
  • Safer Internet Day is observed globally on the second Tuesday of February, which falls on 10 February in 2026.
  • The theme for Safer Internet Day 2026 is Smart Tech, Safe Choices: Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI.
  • The initiative began in 2004 under the European Union (EU) SafeBorders project and was later adopted by the Insafe network in 2005.
  • Safer Internet Day is currently observed in more than 160 countries and territories across the world.
  • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will organise the India AI Impact Summit 2026 from 15 to 20 February in New Delhi.
  • The Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) project will conduct a large-scale awareness campaign involving workshops and public awareness drives.
International Day of Human Fraternity observed on 4 February 2026 (Start of February) ▼
  • International Day of Human Fraternity is observed on 4 February 2026.
  • The 2026 message was delivered by the UN Secretary-General.
  • The day celebrates equality, dignity and mutual understanding.
  • The Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together declaration was co-authored by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb.
World NGO Day observed on February 27 (End of February) ▼
  • World NGO Day is observed on February 27 every year.
  • Marcis Liors Skadmanis, a Latvian-British philanthropist, established World NGO Day in 2010.
  • The concept was officially recognised on April 17, 2010, by the 12 member countries of the Baltic Sea NGO Forum in Vilnius, Lithuania.
  • The first global celebration took place on February 27, 2014, in Helsinki, Finland, hosted by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
  • The observance has received support from the European Union (EU) and leaders within the United Nations (UN).
International Women's Day 2026 observed on March 8 with theme 'Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls' (Start of March) ▼
  • International Women's Day 2026 is observed globally on March 8.
  • The United Nations (UN) announced the 2026 theme as 'Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls'.
  • The UN officially recognised International Women's Day in 1975.

World Happiness Report 2026 released on March 20

[Finland]

Key Updates:

  • The World Happiness Report 2026 was released on March 20, 2026, based on data from the Gallup World Poll covering 147 countries.
  • Finland was crowned the happiest country in the world for the ninth consecutive year with an average life evaluation score of 7.764.
  • The rankings are determined using the Cantril Ladder, where respondents evaluate their lives on a scale from 0 (worst possible) to 10 (best possible).
  • Costa Rica ranked fourth globally, making history as the first South American country to enter the top five after climbing from 23rd place in 2024.
  • Iceland and Denmark secured the second and third positions respectively, ensuring Nordic nations occupied the entire top three.
  • Israel ranked eighth, becoming the only country from the Middle East to feature in the top 10 list for 2026.
  • The top 10 happiest countries in 2026 are Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Costa Rica, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Israel, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.
  • Norway, which ranked sixth, was highlighted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for having one of the highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita figures in the world.
  • Switzerland returned to the top 10 by climbing to the tenth position from 13th place in 2025.
  • The report noted that 79 nations reported positive developments in population wellbeing between the 2006–10 baseline and the 2023–25 period.

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Keyi Panyor Bio-Happiness Project (Start of January) ▼
  • The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation has begun work on a Biohappiness project in Keyi Panyor district, Arunachal Pradesh.
  • The project will examine livelihoods, agro-biodiversity and other ecological aspects within the district.
  • Biohappiness, coined by late Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, is the state of well-being arising when biodiversity is conserved and utilised to enhance human health, nutrition and livelihoods.
Finland President Alexander Stubb arrives in India for State Visit and Raisina Dialogue 2026 (Start of March) ▼
  • Finland President Alexander Stubb arrived in New Delhi for a state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and trade.
  • The President was received at the airport by the Minister of State for External Affairs K V Singh.
  • President Stubb will serve as the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the Raisina Dialogue 2026.
  • The visiting dignitary is scheduled to meet with the President of India and Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.
  • Discussions between PM Modi and President Stubb will focus on bilateral ties, regional issues, and global matters of mutual interest.
  • The Finland President was accorded a ceremonial welcome and a Guard of Honour upon his arrival.
Global Mind Health 2025 report ranks Indian youth 60th and elderly 49th in mental well-being. (End of February) ▼
  • Indian adults aged 18–34 scored 33 on the Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) and ranked 60th among 84 countries.
  • Indians aged 55 and above scored 96 on the MHQ and ranked 49th globally.
  • The study analysed 78,093 internet-enabled, literate Indian respondents, including 29,594 aged 18–34 and 24,088 aged 55+.
  • India ranks 28th on family closeness for both age groups.
  • Ultra-processed food consumption is 44% among 18–34-year-olds and 11% among those 55 and above.
  • India ranks 71st on first-time smartphone exposure, with the average age being 16.5 years.
LSEG–Ipsos PCSI places India second globally in consumer confidence for January 2026 (End of January) ▼
  • India’s LSEG–Ipsos Primary Consumer Sentiment Index (PCSI) rose 1.4 points to 60.7 in January 2026, ranking it second among 30 countries.
  • Indonesia led the index at 62.6, with India and Indonesia the only markets above 60 points.
  • India’s PCSI Economic Expectations Sub-Index increased 6.6 points and the Employment Sub-Index climbed 6.3 points.
  • The Current Personal Financial Conditions Sub-Index for India slipped 0.6 points and the Investment Climate Sub-Index declined 2.0 points.
  • The Global Consumer Confidence Index (GCCI) improved 0.5 points to 49.9 in January 2026, up 1.3 points year-on-year.
  • Survey covered over 21,000 adults under 75 across 30 countries from 24 December 2025 to 9 January 2026.

Ugadi 2026 celebrated on March 19

Key Updates:

  • Ugadi 2026 was celebrated on March 19.
  • The festival falls on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the waxing phase of the moon in the month of Chaitra.
  • Ugadi marks the traditional New Year for Telugu and Kannada communities and is widely observed in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka.
  • The word 'Ugadi' combines the Sanskrit words 'Yuga' (age or era) and 'Adi' (beginning).
  • The main puja is performed in the morning after sunrise.
  • Abhyanga Snanam, the ritual oil bath, is taken before sunrise.
  • Ugadi Pachadi, a dish mixing six tastes, symbolises life’s varied experiences: neem flowers (bitterness), jaggery (sweetness), raw mango (tanginess), tamarind (sourness), green chilli or pepper (heat), and salt (balance).
  • Panchanga Sravanam is the ritual reading of the new year’s almanac predictions covering rainfall, agriculture, economy, and prosperity.

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Pongal 2026 observed on January 14, 2026 (Mid of January) ▼
  • Pongal is a four-day Hindu harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God that marks the beginning of Uttarayan, the sun’s journey northward.
  • Thai Pongal and Makar Sankranti both fall on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, with the Sankranti Moment occurring at 03:13 PM.
  • The festival includes four specific days: Bhogi Pandigai (Jan 13), Thai Pongal (Jan 14), Mattu Pongal (Jan 15), and Kaanum Pongal (Jan 16).
  • The traditional sweet dish Pongal dates back to the Chola dynasty, with recipes appearing in temple inscriptions from the Chola and Vijayanagara Empire periods.
  • The AIFF announced that the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season will be recognized by the AFC.
  • Nasa's crewed lunar mission, Artemis II, is scheduled for a February 6 liftoff.
World Hindi Day 2026 observed on January 10 (Start of January) ▼
  • World Hindi Day 2026 will be observed on January 10.
  • The date marks the anniversary of the first World Hindi Conference, held in Nagpur in 1975.
  • World Hindi Day is officially observed by the Government of India, mainly through Indian embassies and missions overseas.
  • Hindi Diwas is observed on September 14 and marks the adoption of Hindi in the Devanagari script as an official language of India in 1949.
Shaheedi Week 2025 observed from 21 to 29 December (End of December) ▼
  • Shaheedi Week is observed every year in December to remember the great sacrifices (Shaheedi) made by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Mata Gujri Ji, and the four Sahibzade.
  • Shaheedi Week 2025 is observed from 21 to 29 December.
  • The week teaches lessons of bravery, faith, truth, and standing against injustice.
National Tourism Day 2026 observed on January 25 (End of January) ▼
  • National Tourism Day 2026 is observed on January 25.
  • The day was established on January 25, 1982, by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
  • National Tourism Day recognises tourism as a driver of economic development, employment generation, cultural preservation, and people-to-people connection.

Gudi Padwa 2026 celebrated on March 19

Key Updates:

  • Gudi Padwa 2026 is celebrated on March 19, 2026.
  • Pratipada Tithi begins at 06:52 AM on March 19, 2026 and ends at 04:52 AM on March 20, 2026.
  • Gudi Padwa is mainly celebrated in Maharashtra and Goa by the Marathi and Konkani communities.
  • The festival falls on the pratipada tithi of shukla paksha in the month of Chaitra.
  • Gudi Padwa marks the beginning of the harvest season and is celebrated as Marathi New Year.
  • According to Hindu scriptures, Lord Brahma created the universe on this day.
  • Primary rituals include early holy bath, oil bath, rangoli, neem-jaggery dish, worship of Lord Brahma, yajna, hawan, bamboo stick flags, raising a Gudi, and distributing prasadam, cumin seeds, and gram lentils.

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Gyalpo Losar 2026: Tibetan New Year celebrated on February 17 (Mid of February) ▼
  • Gyalpo Losar 2026 falls on February 17 and marks the Year of the Fire Horse.
  • Known as the "King's New Year," Gyalpo Losar is the most significant New Year for Tibetan, Sherpa, and other Himalayan communities.
  • The term "Losar" means "New Year" in the Tibetan language and follows a lunisolar calendar.
  • On the eve, families share guthuk, a nine-ingredient stew with dough balls that symbolically predict fortune for the coming year.
  • The first day begins with monastery visits, hoisting new prayer flags (lung ta), and exchanging the greeting "Tashi Delek."
  • Essential festive foods include khapse (deep-fried pastries) and dresi (sweet buttered rice with raisins and nuts).
PM Modi hosts 9th edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026. (Start of February) ▼
  • Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026, the 9th edition, was livestreamed on 6 February 2026 at 10 am.
  • PM Modi interacted with students, parents, and teachers across Devmogra, Coimbatore, Raipur, Guwahati, and his residence.
  • Over 4.5 crore students, 28 lakh teachers, and 6.15 lakh parents registered for PPC 2026.
  • The programme is part of the government’s Exam Warriors initiative to reduce exam anxiety.
  • The next telecast of PPC 2026 is scheduled for 9 February at 10 am on DD National, DD News, DD India, All India Radio, and online platforms.
Pongal 2026 observed on January 14, 2026 (Mid of January) ▼
  • Pongal is a four-day Hindu harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God that marks the beginning of Uttarayan, the sun’s journey northward.
  • Thai Pongal and Makar Sankranti both fall on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, with the Sankranti Moment occurring at 03:13 PM.
  • The festival includes four specific days: Bhogi Pandigai (Jan 13), Thai Pongal (Jan 14), Mattu Pongal (Jan 15), and Kaanum Pongal (Jan 16).
  • The traditional sweet dish Pongal dates back to the Chola dynasty, with recipes appearing in temple inscriptions from the Chola and Vijayanagara Empire periods.
  • The AIFF announced that the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season will be recognized by the AFC.
  • Nasa's crewed lunar mission, Artemis II, is scheduled for a February 6 liftoff.
Bharat Parv 2026 closing ceremony on 31 January at Red Fort (Start of February) ▼
  • Bharat Parv 2026 is organised by the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) and runs from 26 to 31 January at the Lawns and Gyan Path in front of the Red Fort.
  • The closing ceremony on 31 January at 5:30 p.m. will have Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan as the chief guest.
  • Punjabi Folk Orchestra and Qalandri Dhamal will perform on 31 January, showcasing traditional instruments like Dhol, Dholki, Taal-Koze, Tansari, Flute, Nagara, Chimta, Sap, Kara, and Vanjli.
  • Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated Bharat Parv 2026 and described it as a vibrant expression of India’s soul and a reminder of constitutional values.

World Consumer Rights Day 2026: Safe Products, Confident Consumers

Key Updates:

  • World Consumer Rights Day is observed every year on March 15.
  • The theme for World Consumer Rights Day 2026 is Safe Products, Confident Consumers.
  • World Consumer Rights Day was first observed in 1983.
  • On March 15, 1962, US President John F. Kennedy introduced the Consumer Bill of Rights to the US Congress.

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Rohit Kumar Singh appointed Chair of Global Value Chains Committee of US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) (Start of February) ▼
  • Rohit Kumar Singh, 1989-batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre, has been appointed Chair of the Global Value Chains Committee of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF).
  • He has also been appointed advisor to the USISPF Board of Directors.
  • Singh formerly served as Secretary, Consumer Affairs, Government of India.
  • He led India’s first AI-enabled grievance redressal ecosystem, bringing a paradigm shift to consumer protection.
National Consumer Day 2025 observed on December 24 with theme 'A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles' (End of December) ▼
  • National Consumer Day is celebrated every year on December 24.
  • The 2025 theme is 'A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles'.
  • The Consumer Protection Bill was passed on December 24, 1986, marking the origin of the observance.
  • The Consumer Protection Act 2019 replaced the 1986 Act in July 2020.
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.
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.