📰 Daily Briefing Sunday, Mar 22

Daily Current Affairs: 22 March 2026

Analysis for 22 March 2026

T.N. Natarajan appointed Director (Commercial) of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).

[Steel Authority of India Limited]

Key Updates:

  • T.N. Natarajan assumed the post of Director (Commercial) on the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) board effective 19 March 2026.
  • He was nominated by the Government of India and the appointment was approved by SAIL’s board.
  • Before this elevation, Natarajan served as Chief General Manager in SAIL.
  • He joined SAIL in 1993 as a Management Trainee at Bhilai Steel Plant and has over 32 years of experience in production, logistics, and sales.
  • His prior roles include postings in the Central Marketing Organisation at Bengaluru, Chennai, and Trichy, and most recently as Regional Manager (Western Region).
  • He led the establishment of SAIL’s first Ready-to-Use TMT service centre at Kalamboli.

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Nidhi Chhibber takes additional charge as NITI Aayog CEO as BVR Subrahmanyam tenure ends (End of February) ▼
  • Nidhi Chhibber, Director General of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), has been given additional charge as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog.
  • She is a 1994-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre and previously served as Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
  • At NITI Aayog’s DMEO, she has been responsible for monitoring and evaluating flagship government schemes.
  • Chhibber holds a Master’s degree in History and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), and is proficient in both English and Hindi.
  • BVR Subrahmanyam, a 1987-batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, completed his three-year term as CEO of NITI Aayog.
  • Subrahmanyam has served as Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir, Principal Secretary in the Chhattisgarh government, and has also worked in the Prime Minister’s Office.
SAIL Great Place to Work Certification for February 2026 to February 2027 (Start of February) ▼
  • Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), has been certified as a Great Place to Work for the period February 2026 to February 2027.
  • This recognition marks the third consecutive year that SAIL has received this certification following an assessment by the Great Place To Work Institute, India.
  • The assessment process involved a company-wide survey measuring the TRUST INDEX© score, which evaluates parameters such as credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie.
  • SAIL has implemented the SAIL DARPAN initiative to establish a transparent and performance-driven work environment focused on objective evaluation and accountability.
  • The organisation has partnered with several institutions for capability enhancement, including Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode, IIM Bangalore, IIM Jammu, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi, XLRI, and Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI).
  • Shri Amarendu Prakash currently serves as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of SAIL.
Prof. Dheeraj Sharma Conferred With Exemplary Governance Leadership Award (Mid of January) ▼
  • Prof. Dheeraj Sharma, the Director of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Rohtak, was conferred with the Exemplary Governance Leadership Award at the 46th World Management Congress.
  • The award ceremony was held at the India International Centre in New Delhi following a selection process involving over 1,400 global nominations.
  • He was one of only seven individuals shortlisted for the honor by the Congress’s Awards and Appreciation Committee.
  • Under his leadership, IIM Rohtak secured international accreditations from the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Business Graduates Association (BGA).
  • He spearheaded the launch of the Integrated Programme in Management and the Integrated Programme in Law, the latter being the first such law programme among IIMs.
  • He was recognized in a 2023 Stanford University list as being among the world’s top 2% researchers.
  • IIM Rohtak shifted to its permanent campus in 2018, with the project completed below estimated costs during his tenure.
Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) appoints Anup Kumar Saha as Whole-time Director (Mid of January) ▼
  • Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) has appointed Anup Kumar Saha as Whole-time Director, subject to regulatory approvals.
  • Saha will act as Whole-time Director (Designate) and join senior management from January 12, 2026.
  • He will oversee consumer banking, marketing and data analytics functions at KMB.
  • Anup Kumar Saha most recently served as Managing Director at Bajaj Finance.
  • He previously spent 14 years at ICICI Bank in senior leadership roles.

Krishna Kumar Thakur takes charge as Director (Personnel) of NMDC Limited (NMDC)

[National Mineral Development Corporation]

Key Updates:

  • Krishna Kumar Thakur, a 1998 batch Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) officer, assumed the role of Director (Personnel) at NMDC Limited (NMDC) on Thursday.
  • He previously served as the Director (Human Resources) at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), where he implemented organisational restructuring and multi-skilling initiatives.
  • During his career in Indian Railways, he managed human resource functions in the Solapur, Bhopal, and Mumbai divisions.
  • As the Chairman of the Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) of Western Railway, he led the recruitment of approximately 12,000 employees.
  • He has served as the Head of Human Resources at Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) and worked on an international train operations project in Saudi Arabia with RITES Limited (RITES).
  • He is an alumnus of Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) in Human Resources from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).

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M Anitha (IRS) appointed Director in Department of Defence. (Start of February) ▼
  • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of M Anitha, IRS (Income Tax: 2007), as Director in the Department of Defence under the Central Staffing Scheme.
  • The Civil Services Board (CSB) recommended her lateral shift from the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), where she is currently Director.
  • Her tenure in the Department of Defence will last up to 26 September 2026, the balance period of her five-year deputation at the Director level, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
  • The appointment takes effect from the date she assumes charge of the post.
Rakesh Aggarwal assigned additional charge of Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA) (End of December) ▼
  • Rakesh Aggarwal, a 1994-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre, has been assigned the additional charge of Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA).
  • He is currently serving as Special Director General of the NIA.
  • The assignment follows the premature repatriation of incumbent DG Sadanand Vasant Date, a 1990-batch Maharashtra cadre IPS officer, to his parent cadre.
  • Aggarwal will hold the additional charge till the appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Divakar Jayant assumed charge as Director General of Naval Armament (DGONA) at Naval Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (MoD). (Start of February) ▼
  • Divakar Jayant, a 1991-batch Indian Naval Armament Service (INAS) officer, took over as DGONA on 2 February 2026.
  • He succeeded P. Upadhyay, who superannuated on 31 January 2026.
  • Jayant joined the Naval Armament Organisation of the Indian Navy on 28 December 1992.
  • He is an Electrical Engineering graduate from IIT Delhi and specialises in torpedo life-cycle management.
  • He has served as Chief General Manager and General Manager/Principal Director at Naval Armament Depots in Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, and Alwaye.
Rakesh Aggarwal appointed Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA) (Mid of January) ▼
  • Rakesh Aggarwal, a 1994 batch IPS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the regular Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA).
  • He had been serving as interim head of NIA after the premature repatriation of incumbent Sadanand Date.
  • Praveen Kumar, a 1993 batch IPS officer of West Bengal cadre, has taken over as Director General of Border Security Force (BSF).
  • He was earlier serving as ITBP DG while also holding additional charge as BSF DG.
  • Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, a 1990 batch IPS officer and former DGP of Haryana, has been appointed as Director General of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

UNESCO establishes World Poetry Day on 21 March.

Key Updates:

  • UNESCO officially established World Poetry Day in 1999 during its 30th General Conference in Paris.
  • World Poetry Day is observed every year on 21 March.
  • The day aims to promote poetry as a meaningful cultural practice and to support linguistic diversity worldwide.
  • Some countries previously celebrated poetry on 15 October, the birthday of Roman poet Virgil.

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SAIL launches nationwide creative contest "सेल-e-BRATION: Steel Built India, SAIL Built Trust" on 30 January 2026 (Start of February) ▼
  • Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), a Maharatna PSU under the Ministry of Steel, launched the contest on 30 January 2026 in collaboration with MyGov.
  • The contest invites Indian citizens to submit 1080p MP4 videos (max 120 seconds) in Hindi or English by 16 February 2026, 11:59 PM IST via the MyGov portal.
  • Participants can choose from four themes: Building India’s Big Dreams, Shield & Star, There’s a Little Bit of SAIL in Everyone’s Life, and Products Everywhere.
  • Top five creators will each receive ₹10,000 cash, a Letter of Appreciation and Certificate from SAIL, and national exposure on SAIL’s official social media platforms.
Banaras Lit Fest announces Book Awards 2026; Namita Gokhale gets Lifetime Achievement Award (End of January) ▼
  • Banaras Lit Fest announced winners of the second Banaras Lit Fest Book Awards 2026 in New Delhi.
  • Bhartendu Harishchandra Lifetime Achievement Award conferred on writer and cultural curator Namita Gokhale.
  • Announcement made at the outreach and curtain-raiser event at Hi-Tech Institute of Engineering & Technology, Delhi NCR.
  • Awards recognise excellence in fiction, poetry, non-fiction and translation across English, Hindi and Indian languages.
  • Each category award carries ₹51,000, citation and trophy; Lifetime Achievement Award carries ₹1 lakh.
  • Awards to be presented during Banaras Lit Fest from January 30 to February 1, 2026, at Hotel Taj, Banaras.
  • Gokhale honoured for contributions to writing, publishing and cultural dialogue across generations.
  • Festival President Deepak Madhok said the awards have emerged as a credible literary benchmark.
  • Founder Brijesh Singh announced the introduction of a Youth Award category.
  • Gomati Devi Eminence Awards 2026 announced for contributions to nation-building across sectors.
World Thinking Day observed on February 22 (End of February) ▼
  • World Thinking Day is observed annually on February 22 to promote unity, friendship, and empowerment among girls and young women.
  • The day is celebrated by members of the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in more than 150 countries.
  • The origins of the observance date back to 1926, following an international conference of Girl Guide and Girl Scout organisations held in the United States (US).
  • The date February 22 marks the birthdays of Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement, and Olave Baden-Powell, the World Chief Guide.
  • The day encourages participants to address global challenges such as leadership, equality, environmental protection, and mental well-being.
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.

Income Tax Act 2025 and Budget 2026 revise tax slabs and rebate for individuals and HUFs.

Key Updates:

  • Income Tax Act 2025 sets new regime tax slabs: up to ₹3,00,000 nil, ₹3,00,001–₹6,00,000 5%, ₹6,00,001–₹9,00,000 10%, ₹9,00,001–₹12,00,000 15%, ₹12,00,001–₹15,00,000 20%, above ₹15,00,000 30%.
  • Budget 2026 enhances rebate under Section 87A so taxpayers with income up to ₹7,00,000 have zero tax liability.
  • New regime now allows salaried individuals a standard deduction of ₹50,000.
  • Allowed deductions in new regime include standard deduction, employer’s contribution to NPS, and family pension deduction.
  • Disallowed deductions in new regime cover Section 80C instruments, HRA, LTA, and home-loan interest for self-occupied property.

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Union Finance Ministry offers 20-year tax holiday to foreign cloud firms using Indian data centres (Start of February) ▼
  • Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Budget 2026 proposed a 20-year tax holiday, valid up to 2047, for foreign companies providing cloud services to global customers from data centres located in India.
  • Eligible foreign cloud firms must serve Indian customers only through an Indian reseller entity.
  • The Budget proposes a 15% safe harbour on cost when data centre services are supplied by a related entity of the foreign cloud company.
  • Google, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services together committed about USD 40 billion in India data centre investments during 2025.
  • Global hyperscalers and Indian conglomerates Reliance, Adani, Tata, and L&T plan to invest more than USD 70 billion in India’s data centre industry over the next five to seven years, raising total capacity from 1 GW to about 9 GW.
  • India’s data consumption rose from 8 exabytes in FY17 to 229 exabytes in FY25, driven by OTT platforms, digital payments, social media, and ecommerce.
Income Tax Act 2025: New simplified Act to take effect from April 1 (End of December) ▼
  • The new simplified Income Tax Act, 2025 will come into effect from April 1, replacing the over six-decade-old Income Tax Act, 1961.
  • No income tax will be payable on income of Rs 12 lakh a year under the new income tax regime.
  • GST rates were reduced on about 375 goods and services effective September 22, compressing the four-tier GST slab structure into two principal rates of 5 and 18 per cent, with a 40 per cent levy retained only for sin goods.
Income Tax Act, 2025 to replace 1961 Act from 1 April 2026 (Start of February) ▼
  • Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the Income Tax Act, 2025 will come into force from 1 April 2026.
  • The new Act is revenue-neutral with no changes to existing tax rates or slabs.
  • The legislation cuts overall text volume and number of sections by nearly 50% compared with the 1961 Act.
  • A single 'tax year' concept replaces the distinction between 'previous year' and 'assessment year'.
  • Taxpayers can claim TDS refunds even if returns are filed after the due date without penal charges.
  • The deadline for revising returns has been extended from 31 December to 31 March.
  • A six-month foreign asset disclosure window is offered to small taxpayers like students, tech professionals and NRIs for income or assets below a specified threshold.
  • TCS reduced to 2% on overseas tour packages and on remittances for education and medical purposes under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme.
  • For property transactions involving non-residents, TDS can be deducted using the buyer’s PAN-based challan instead of requiring a TAN.
CBDT NUDGE Campaign: 15 Lakh Revised ITRs Filed for AY 2025-26 (End of December) ▼
  • Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) launched a NUDGE campaign to alert taxpayers who claimed wrongful deductions related to unrecognised political parties or charitable institutions.
  • Over 15 lakh revised Income Tax Returns (ITRs) have been filed for Assessment Year 2025-26.
  • More than 21 lakh taxpayers have updated their returns and paid Rs 2,500 crore in taxes during the current fiscal.
  • Taxpayers are advised to review and revise their ITRs by December 31, 2025, to avoid further enquiries.

Government of India (GoI) Reports Core Sector Growth Eases to 2.3% in February

Key Updates:

  • India's core sector growth slowed to a three-month low of 2.3% year-on-year in February, down from 4.7% in January.
  • The eight core industries account for 40.27% of the total weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
  • Cement recorded the strongest expansion among the eight industries at 9.3%, while steel production grew by 7.2%.
  • Electricity generation growth dropped to a three-month low of 0.5%, and coal output eased to 2.3%.
  • Output in energy-related industries contracted, with crude oil declining by 5.2%, natural gas by 5%, and refinery products by 1%.
  • Fertilisers output fell to a five-month low of 3.4% during the month of February.
  • Overall core sector growth for the financial year FY26 (up to February) stood at 2.9%, compared to 4.4% in the corresponding period of the previous year.
  • India's industrial output growth, measured by the IIP, slowed to a three-month low of 4.8% in January from 8% in December.

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Ministry of Commerce & Industry records 1.8% rise in Index of Eight Core Industries (End of December) ▼
  • The combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) grew 1.8% in November 2025 compared with the year-ago period.
  • ICI carries a 40.27% weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
  • Cement output surged 14.5% and steel production increased 6.1% in November.
  • Fertiliser production rose 5.6% and coal output climbed 2.1% during the month.
  • Crude oil production declined 3.2%, natural gas fell 2.5%, refinery products contracted 0.9% and electricity generation slipped 2.2% in November.
  • Cumulatively for April–November 2025-26, core sector output expanded 2.4% over the corresponding period last year.
  • Steel and cement led cumulative growth at 9.7% and 8.2%, respectively, while coal, crude oil, natural gas and electricity posted cumulative declines.
Government data shows Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) growth moderates to 4% in January 2026 (End of February) ▼
  • The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) recorded 4% growth in January 2026 against a revised 4.7% in December 2025.
  • Steel production rose 9.9% year-on-year in January 2026 and 9.8% during April–January 2025-26.
  • Cement output expanded 10.7% in January 2026 and 9.1% during April–January 2025-26.
  • Electricity generation increased 3.8% in January 2026 and 0.8% during April–January 2025-26.
  • Fertiliser production grew 3.7% in January 2026 and 1.9% during April–January 2025-26.
  • Coal output rose 3.1% in January 2026 but declined 0.3% cumulatively during April–January 2025-26.
  • Crude oil production declined 5.8% in January 2026 and 2.1% during April–January 2025-26.
  • Natural gas output fell 5.0% in January 2026 and 3.4% during April–January 2025-26.
  • Petroleum refinery products output remained unchanged in January 2026 and rose 0.1% during April–January 2025-26.
  • The ICI carries a 40.27% weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) estimates Real GDP growth at 7.4% for FY 2025-26 (Start of January) ▼
  • The National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the First Advance Estimates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the Financial Year (FY) 2025-26.
  • Real GDP is estimated to grow by 7.4% in FY 2025-26, compared to a growth rate of 6.5% in FY 2024-25.
  • Nominal GDP is projected to grow at 8.0% in FY 2025-26, reaching an estimated level of ₹357.14 lakh crore.
  • Real Gross Value Added (GVA) is estimated to grow by 7.3% to reach ₹184.50 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.
  • Nominal GVA is estimated to attain a level of ₹323.48 lakh crore, registering a growth rate of 7.7%.
  • Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services and Public Administration, Defence & Other Services are estimated to achieve a growth rate of 9.9% at constant prices.
  • Trade, Hotels, Transport, Communication & Services related to Broadcasting sector is estimated to grow by 7.5% at constant prices.
  • Manufacturing and Construction sectors in the secondary sector are estimated to achieve a growth rate of 7.0% at constant prices.
  • Agriculture & Allied Sector is estimated to grow by 3.1%, while Electricity, Gas, Water Supply & Other Utility Services is estimated at 2.1%.
  • Real Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) is estimated to attain a growth rate of 7.0% during FY 2025-26.
  • Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) is estimated to grow by 7.8% at constant prices, compared to 7.1% in the previous financial year.
  • MoSPI is currently revising the base year of National Accounts from FY 2011-12 to FY 2022-23.
  • The Second Advance Estimates of GDP for FY 2025-26 under the new base year are scheduled for release on 27.02.2026.
State Bank of India (SBI) Projects 7.5% GDP Growth for FY26 (Start of January) ▼
  • The State Bank of India (SBI) projects India’s real GDP growth for FY26 could reach 7.5% following the revision of the base year to 2022-23.
  • The National Statistical Office (NSO) first advance estimates place real GDP growth at 7.4% for FY26, an increase from the 6.5% recorded in FY25.
  • The NSO projects Gross Value Added (GVA) growth at 7.3% and nominal GDP growth at 8% for the FY26 period.
  • Per capita national income is projected to increase by ₹16,025 annually to reach ₹2,47,487 in FY26.
  • The services sector is expected to expand by 9.1% in FY26, compared to the 7.2% growth recorded in the previous year.
  • Industrial growth is estimated at 6.0% for FY26, supported by a manufacturing output growth of 7.0%.
  • Agriculture and allied activities are projected to grow by 3.1% in FY26, down from 4.6% in FY25.
  • Mining output is expected to decline by 0.7% in FY26, compared with a growth of 2.7% in FY25.
  • The historical gap between GDP growth estimates from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the NSO has remained within a range of 20–30 basis points.
  • The NSO is scheduled to release the second advance estimates, incorporating additional data and revisions, on February 27, 2026.

Central Electricity Authority (CEA) projects 70% non-fossil fuel share in India’s installed capacity by 2035-36

Key Updates:

  • Central Electricity Authority (CEA) report released on 19 March 2026 at Bharat Electricity Summit projects India’s installed power generation capacity at 1,121 GW by 2035-36.
  • Non-fossil fuel sources are projected to contribute 786 GW, accounting for 70% of total installed capacity.
  • Solar sector is projected to contribute 509 GW, coal 315 GW, wind 155 GW, large hydro 77 GW, nuclear 22 GW, gas 20 GW, biomass 16 GW, and small hydro 6 GW.
  • As of 31 January 2026, India’s installed capacity stood at 520.5 GW with 52% from non-fossil sources.
  • During FY 2025-26 (till 31 January 2026), 52.5 GW capacity was added, including 43 GW from renewable energy.
  • Peak electricity demand is projected to grow at 5.58% CAGR to reach 459 GW by 2035-36.
  • Total electricity requirement is projected to grow at 6.41% annually to 3,365 billion units by 2035-36.
  • Energy storage capacity of 174 GW / 888 GWh is envisaged, including 80 GW / 321 GWh of battery energy storage systems and 94 GW / 567 GWh of pumped storage projects.

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Indian States’ Electricity Transition (SET) report highlights best performers in electricity transition (End of February) ▼
  • Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan emerged as the strongest performers in the market enablers dimension of the Indian States’ Electricity Transition (SET) report.
  • The report was released by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and Ember.
  • The SET report assessed 21 states that account for 95% of India’s power demand.
  • Karnataka remained the top performer in the decarbonisation dimension.
  • Chhattisgarh recorded a negligible power supply shortage of 0.07% in FY25.
  • Bihar recorded the best improvement in smart meter deployment with 78% of its sanctioned meters installed under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) as of March 2025.
Ministry of Power (MoP) targets 143 GW inter-regional transmission capacity by 2027 (Mid of March) ▼
  • Union Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik informed the Rajya Sabha that India's inter-regional transmission capacity is set to reach 143 GW by 2027 and 168 GW by 2032.
  • The inter-regional transmission capacity of the National Grid stood at 120 GW as of December 2025.
  • The expansion of the National Grid is aimed at meeting a projected peak electricity demand of 388 GW by 2032.
  • Under the National Electricity Plan (NEP) Volume II Transmission, the transmission network of 220 kV and above is planned to expand to 6.48 lakh ckm by 2032.
  • The transformation capacity is projected to increase to 2,345 Giga Volt Ampere (GVA) by 2032.
  • Right-of-Way (RoW) issues have impacted the project timelines of 25 Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) projects.
Ministry of Power (MoP) records historic 52,537 MW power capacity addition in FY 2025–26 (Start of March) ▼
  • The Ministry of Power (MoP) reported a record addition of 52,537 MW in power generation capacity during the financial year 2025–26 up to 31 January 2026.
  • The current addition represents a growth of more than 11 per cent in the total installed capacity and surpasses the previous record of 34,054 MW set in FY 2024–25.
  • Renewable energy sources accounted for 39,657 MW of the total capacity added, including 34,955 MW from solar power and 4,613 MW from wind power.
  • India’s total installed power generation capacity reached 520,510.95 MW as of 31 January 2026.
  • Non-fossil fuel sources now form the larger share of the total capacity base at 271,969.33 MW, while fossil fuel-based plants account for 248,541.62 MW.
  • The non-fossil fuel category comprises 263,189.33 MW from renewable energy sources and 8,780 MW from nuclear power.
Draft National Electricity Policy (NEP) 2026 targets 2,000 kWh per capita consumption and 100 GW nuclear capacity (End of January) ▼
  • The Ministry of Power (MoP) launched the Draft National Electricity Policy (NEP) 2026 on Jan 21, 2026, to transform India’s power sector to meet the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
  • The Draft NEP 2026 sets a target of 2,000 kWh per capita electricity consumption by 2030, rising to over 4,000 kWh by 2047.
  • The policy mandates a 45% reduction in emissions intensity by 2030 (vs 2005) and aims for net-zero emissions by 2070.
  • The NEP 2026 promotes low-carbon pathways through large-scale renewable integration and nuclear expansion to 100 GW by 2047.
  • By 2030, renewable energy sources will have equal scheduling and deviation rights as conventional sources like coal.
  • The policy aims for single-digit Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses and mandates N-1 Redundancy for cities with over 10 lakh people by 2032.
  • The NEP 2026 introduces functional unbundling of State Transmission Utilities (STUs) to create independent SLDCs and mandates that all power sector data must be stored in India.
  • The MoP proposes exempting cross-subsidies for industries, railways, and metros to lower power costs and boost manufacturing competitiveness.

Tamil Nadu leads India’s textile exports with $7,997.17 million in 2024-25, says NIRYAT data.

[Tamil Nadu]

Key Updates:

  • Tamil Nadu exported textiles worth $7,997.17 million in 2024-25, accounting for 21.84% of India’s total textile exports.
  • India’s overall textile exports stood at $36,610 million during 2024-25.
  • Gujarat ranked second with textile exports of $5,646.01 million, followed by Maharashtra at $3,831.28 million.
  • Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal occupied the next positions in the export rankings.
  • Tamil Nadu’s textile exports rose from $6,193.39 million in 2020-21 to $7,997.17 million in 2024-25, an increase of $1,803.78 million (≈29%).

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NITI Aayog releases sixth edition of Trade Watch Quarterly in New Delhi (Mid of February) ▼
  • NITI Aayog launched the sixth edition of Trade Watch Quarterly covering Q2 FY 25-26 (July-September 2025) on 13 February 2026 in New Delhi.
  • Services and merchandise exports grew ~8.5%, outpacing import growth in Q2 FY26.
  • Electronics exports rose nearly fivefold to USD 42.1 billion between 2016 and 2024.
  • India’s share in global electronics demand expanded at a CAGR of 17.2% from 2015-2024, against global growth of 4.4%.
  • Electronics is now the second-largest item in India’s export basket.
  • Union Budget allocated ₹40,000 crore under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme to strengthen domestic capabilities.
  • E-commerce exports are projected to contribute 20-30% of India’s merchandise exports by 2030.
Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S) Revises Merchandise Trade Indices Base Year to FY 2022–23 (End of February) ▼
  • The Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has revised the base year of India’s Merchandise Trade Indices from FY 2012–13 to FY 2022–23 (2022–23 = 100).
  • The revision was based on the recommendations of a committee chaired by Prof. Nachiketa Chattopadhyay, Professor at the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Kolkata.
  • The updated series includes Monthly, Quarterly, and Annual Indices for Export Unit Value and Import Unit Value.
  • The revised indices cover Principal Commodity (PC) classification, Standard International Trade Classification (SITC), and Broad Economic Categories (BEC).
  • The DGCI&S will now compile Bilateral and Region-wise Trade Indices for the top 20 export and import partner nations of India.
  • The indices track three types of Terms of Trade: Gross terms of trade, Net terms of trade, and Income terms of trade.
  • The National Accounts Division (NAD) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) uses these indices as deflators for estimating real exports and imports in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) compilation.
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) utilises these indices for external sector assessment, balance of payments analysis, and evaluation of price competitiveness.
  • The compilation methodology uses the Laspeyres Formula for weighted averaging of items and commodity groups.
NITI Aayog releases fifth edition of Trade Watch Quarterly covering Q1 FY 2025-26 (Start of January) ▼
  • The fifth edition of Trade Watch Quarterly highlights emerging structural shifts in India’s trade profile.
  • It notes the rising contribution of technology-intensive exports and the continued strength of services-led growth.
  • The publication focuses on the structure and competitiveness of India’s automotive exports.
Giriraj Singh launched Bharat Tex as Union Minister of Textiles. (Mid of March) ▼
  • Giriraj Singh holds the post of Union Minister of Textiles.
  • He launched Bharat Tex, a global textile event aimed at positioning India as a leading textile, apparel, and fashion hub.
  • Bharat Tex brings together manufacturers, exporters, designers, buyers, and technology providers across the textile value chain.
  • The event showcases India’s capabilities in textile manufacturing, technical textiles, and sustainable fabric and apparel production.
  • It aims to foster industry-wide innovation, international research partnerships, and business linkages for Indian textile exporters.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) launches India’s first 24×7 LPG ATM in Gurugram

[Haryana]

Key Updates:

  • Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has installed India’s first 24×7 LPG ATM at Sector 33, Sohna, Gurugram.
  • The automated vending system exchanges empty cylinders for filled composite cylinders in 2-3 minutes.
  • The machine stores around 10 cylinders and alerts nearby agencies when stock falls.
  • Composite cylinders weigh roughly 15 kg compared to 31 kg for conventional metal cylinders.

Similar Coverage

Tripura Gramin Bank Deploys India’s First Solar-Powered ATM Van (Mid of January) ▼
  • Tripura Gramin Bank has introduced India’s first solar-powered ATM van, strengthening rural financial inclusion.
  • The initiative earned the bank the SKOCH Silver Award for excellence in governance and innovation.
  • Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the pioneering ATM van on July 21, 2023.
  • Currently, three solar-powered ATM vans provide eco-friendly, uninterrupted banking services in areas with limited electricity supply.
Essential Commodities Act invoked to prioritise domestic LPG and natural gas supply (Mid of March) ▼
  • The Central Government invoked the Essential Commodities Act (EC Act) to ensure uninterrupted supply of domestic cooking gas amid Middle East conflict disrupting oil and gas supply.
  • Priority sectors for 100 per cent of past six-month average natural gas consumption are: Domestic Piped Natural Gas supply, Compressed Natural Gas for transport, LPG production including LPG shrinkage requirements, Pipeline compressor fuel, other essential pipeline operational requirements.
  • Fertilizer plants must receive natural gas supply at 70 per cent of their past six-month average consumption, subject to operational availability.
  • Tea industries, manufacturing and other industrial consumers via the national gas grid, and all City Gas Distribution industrial and commercial consumers must receive 80 per cent of their past six-month average gas consumption, subject to operational availability.
  • Oil refining companies were ordered to absorb LNG supply disruption impact by reducing gas allocation to refineries to approximately 65 per cent of past six-month consumption, subject to operational feasibility.
  • All natural gas producers, importers, transporters, marketers or distributors must furnish information on production, imports, stocks, allocation, supply and consumption to the Central Government or authorised officer.
  • The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas directed oil refineries to maximise LPG production and divert extra output specifically for domestic use.
  • A 25-day inter-booking period for consumers was introduced to prevent hoarding and black marketing.
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) commissions 3.55 million tonnes-per-year residue upgradation facility at Visakhapatnam refinery (Start of January) ▼
  • Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) has commissioned a 3.55 million tonnes-per-year residue upgradation facility (RUF) at its Visakhapatnam refinery.
  • The facility includes India's first residue hydrocracking unit and the world's first LC-Max unit.
  • The unit is capable of converting approximately 93 per cent of low-value bottom-of-the-barrel oils into high-value petroleum products.
  • The project lifts the Visakhapatnam refinery's Nelson Complexity Index to 11.6, making it one of India's most advanced deep-conversion refineries.
  • The new unit will increase distillate yields at the refinery by up to 10 per cent from pre-modernisation levels.
  • The facility features three LC-Max reactors weighing about 2,200 tonnes each, which are among the heaviest globally.
  • Engineers India Ltd (EIL) provided project management consultancy services for the facility, while Larsen & Toubro (L&T) served as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor.
GAIL (India) Ltd (GAIL) completes 694-km Mumbai-Nagpur Natural Gas Pipeline (MNPL) in Maharashtra (Mid of January) ▼
  • GAIL (India) Ltd (GAIL) has completed the 694-kilometre Mumbai-Nagpur Natural Gas Pipeline (MNPL) built along the Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway.
  • The pipeline has a capacity of approximately 16.5 million standard cubic metres per day and features bi-directional flow capability.
  • The project marks India's first major integration of a high-capacity pipeline into a dense transport corridor under the PM-GatiShakti framework.
  • Around 675 km of the 24-inch high-capacity gas line was installed within a utility strip just three metres wide.
  • The MNPL will enable city gas distribution networks in 16 districts, supporting piped natural gas for an estimated 95 lakh households and over 1,700 CNG stations.
  • The project reached completion after delivering 18.7 million safe man-hours and navigating clearances across 10 districts covering 56 km.
  • The pipeline is designed to support industrial growth in sectors such as power generation, fertilisers, chemicals, and manufacturing.

Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme to Provide ₹5 Lakh Cover

[Telangana]

Key Updates:

  • The Telangana government announced the Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme to provide a life insurance cover of ₹5 lakh to every family in the state.
  • The scheme is scheduled to come into force from 2 June 2026 and will cover 1 crore 15 lakh families regardless of their economic background.
  • The state government will introduce digital health cards for the citizens of Telangana to provide quality healthcare services.
  • The health department budget has been increased by 10.3 per cent to ₹13,679 crore for the 2026-27 financial year from ₹12,393 crore in 2025-26.
  • The Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (TVVP) will be transformed from a grant-in-aid institution into a full-fledged government secondary healthcare department.
  • The government sanctioned retirement benefits of ₹2 lakh for Anganwadi teachers and ₹1 lakh for helpers upon voluntary retirement at the age of 60 years.
  • An amount of ₹3,662.81 crore has been allocated to the Director of Medical Education, while ₹1,844.04 crore is earmarked for the Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare.
  • The budget for public health services under the Director of Public Health and Family Welfare is set at ₹1,183.56 crore to cover primary healthcare and disease control programmes.

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Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satikar Yojana: Rs 9,300 crore for monthly cash to 97% of Punjab women (Start of March) ▼
  • Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented Punjab Budget 2026-27 on International Women’s Day and announced Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satikar Yojana with an outlay of Rs 9,300 crore.
  • The scheme provides Rs 1,500 per month to Scheduled Caste women and Rs 1,000 per month to other adult women, directly transferred to their bank accounts.
  • Eligibility covers every woman above 18 years in Punjab except existing or past permanent government employees, existing and past MPs/MLAs and income-tax payees, making around 97% of adult women eligible.
  • Women already enrolled in old-age, widow/destitute or disability pensions will also be eligible under this scheme.
  • The budget earmarks Rs 18,304 crore for women empowerment and social welfare schemes, a 96% increase over the previous year.
Composite Salary Account for Central Govt Staff Unveiled; Integrates Banking, Card & Insurance Benefits (Mid of January) ▼
  • The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, has launched a composite salary account package for central government employees.
  • The scheme integrates banking facilities, insurance coverage, and card services under a single account.
  • Banking features include zero-balance salary accounts, free fund transfers via RTGS, NEFT, and UPI, concessional loan rates, and waivers on locker rentals.
  • Insurance coverage comprises personal accident insurance up to ₹1.50 crore, air accident insurance up to ₹2 crore, and term life insurance up to ₹20 lakh with top-up options.
  • Card-related benefits include airport lounge access, rewards and cashback programmes, unlimited transactions, and no maintenance charges.
Andhra Pradesh Population Management Strategy: ₹25,000 Incentive for Second Child (Start of March) ▼
  • Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) N. Chandrababu Naidu announced a proposed Population Management Strategy to address the state’s declining fertility rate.
  • The state government is considering a financial incentive of ₹25,000 for families at the time of delivery of a second or third child.
  • The proposed incentive will be part of a broader support package named Poshan–Shiksha–Suraksha.
  • The Poshan–Shiksha–Suraksha package aims to provide nutritional support, education assistance, and healthcare services to families and children.
  • The policy framework is designed to sustain the state's workforce, social stability, and economic growth by stabilising fertility levels.
PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) Launches DigiProtect Term Plan for Salaried Individuals (End of December) ▼
  • PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) launched the PNB MetLife DigiProtect Term Plan (UIN-117N141V01) in collaboration with Policybazaar.
  • The product is an individual non-linked, non-participating, pure term insurance plan designed specifically for salaried individuals in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
  • The plan offers an exclusive first-year discount of up to 21% on the first premium to lower entry costs for policyholders.
  • India faces a 91% life protection gap, which indicates that only ₹9 is covered for every ₹100 required to financially secure families.
  • Policybazaar holds a market share of over 93% in the digital insurance aggregator space and recorded an annual premium collection exceeding ₹15,000 crore in FY24.
  • Policybazaar has issued over 44.3 million policies and caters to more than 80.5 million registered users.
  • PNB MetLife operates through 178 branches and provides access to customers in over 20,000 locations through bank partnerships and a network of 36,000 financial advisors.
  • The company currently caters to over 585 group relationships in India and offers a portfolio covering child education, family protection, and retirement.

Krishi Sakhi Initiative Launched to Empower Women Farmers

Key Updates:

  • The Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited (AIC) launched the Krishi Sakhi initiative on 18 March to empower women farmers and promote inclusive growth.
  • The initiative aligns with the United Nations (UN) recognition of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
  • AIC aims to encourage women's participation in agriculture and crop insurance through structured activities at its Head Office and Regional Offices.
  • The programme includes awareness campaigns on sanitation and hygiene in rural areas specifically targeting women farmers and rural households.
  • The state-owned insurer will publish related articles and interviews to recognise and engage women farmers across the country.

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State Bank of India (SBI) launches $500 million syndicated social loan for women empowerment (Start of March) ▼
  • State Bank of India (SBI) announced a $500 million syndicated social term loan facility focused exclusively on women’s economic empowerment.
  • The facility includes a greenshoe option and was launched ahead of International Women’s Day.
  • SBI stated the transaction supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Achieve Gender Equality and Empower all Women and Girls.
  • SBI Chairman C S Setty said the loan reflects the bank’s commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles and creating opportunities for women.
  • SBI noted the facility is expected to become the largest gender-themed loan globally by an Indian financial institution.
Global Conference on the Role of Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS-2026) inaugurated (Mid of March) ▼
  • President Droupadi Murmu addressed the inaugural session of GCWAS-2026 in New Delhi on 12 March 2026.
  • United Nations has declared 2026 as ‘The International Year of the Woman Farmer’.
  • GCWAS-2026 is jointly organised by Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPV&FRA).
  • The three-day conference aims to deliberate on strengthening policy frameworks to mainstream gender participation in agri-food systems.
  • President stated that girls comprise over 50 percent of students in state agricultural universities and over 60 percent in many universities.
  • President urged greater role for women in agriculture in policy formulation, decision-making and leadership positions.
  • President highlighted initiatives promoting women-led Self-Help Groups and Farmer Producer Organisations as effective in women empowerment in agriculture.
Sashakt Panchayat - Netri Abhiyan and Nirbhay Raho Initiative: ₹4,35,236 Crore Allocated for Rural Bodies (Mid of March) ▼
  • The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) organised a national conference in Delhi to commemorate the first anniversary of the Sashakt Panchayat - Netri Abhiyan.
  • The Nirbhay Raho initiative was launched under the Nirbhaya Scheme to enhance women's safety and leadership in rural governance.
  • The initiative aims to provide capacity building and legal rights training to 14.5 lakh elected women representatives.
  • A total of 17.5 lakh male representatives will be sensitised on gender equality as part of the programme.
  • The financial allocation for rural bodies has been increased to ₹4,35,236 crore for the 2026-31 period.
  • The conference showcased the Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled SabhaSaar platform designed to improve inclusive local governance.
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.

United Nations observes International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March

Key Updates:

  • The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed on 21 March each year.
  • The date commemorates the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa when police killed 69 peaceful demonstrators protesting apartheid pass laws.
  • The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed this day as an international observance in 1966.
  • In 1979 UNGA decided that a week of solidarity with peoples struggling against racism and racial discrimination should be organized annually starting on 21 March.
  • The observance led to the creation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).

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UN Secretary-General António Guterres marks International Day to Combat Islamophobia on 15 March (Mid of March) ▼
  • The International Day to Combat Islamophobia is observed on 15 March.
  • UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the world’s 2 billion Muslims reflect vast global diversity.
  • Guterres highlighted institutional discrimination, socioeconomic exclusion, biased immigration policies, and unwarranted surveillance against Muslims.
  • He warned that anti-Muslim rhetoric and hate can lead to harassment and violence against individuals and places of worship.
  • Governments were urged to take concrete steps to address hate speech, protect religious freedom, and ensure compliance with international human rights law.
  • Online platforms were asked to eliminate hate speech and harassment based on religion or belief.
  • In May 2025, the UN Secretary-General appointed the High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations as the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia.
International Day of Women Judges observed on 10 March (Mid of March) ▼
  • International Day of Women Judges is observed on 10 March every year.
  • The day was established by the United Nations (UN) to promote the full and equal participation of women at all levels of the judiciary.
  • Europe leads with 54 per cent female judges, followed by the Americas with 51 per cent; Oceania, Africa and Asia average 31 per cent, 30 per cent and 29 per cent respectively.
  • The Global Judicial Integrity Network of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) brings together judges worldwide to strengthen judicial integrity and gender equality.
  • In 2024 the UNDP–UN Women Gender Justice Platform supported work in 45 countries, helping over 125 000 people and strengthening 82 justice institutions.
Zero Discrimination Day 2026 observed on 1 March to end HIV stigma (Start of March) ▼
  • Zero Discrimination Day is observed globally on 1 March every year.
  • The 2026 observance by UNAIDS highlights persistent discrimination faced by people living with and at risk of HIV.
  • The campaign theme for 2026 is 'Put People First'.
  • Data from over 30,000 people living with HIV across 25 countries confirms stigma remains a widespread barrier to healthcare access.
  • According to the People Living with HIV Stigma Index 2.0 Global Report, nearly one in four people reported experiencing stigma and discrimination from others.
  • 85 percent of people living with HIV report experiencing internalized stigma.
  • 24 percent of people living with HIV experienced discrimination within their communities in the past year.
  • 38 percent feel ashamed of being HIV-positive.
  • Discrimination prevents access to HIV testing, prevention services, and life-saving treatment.
  • UNAIDS urges removal of discriminatory laws criminalizing sex work, drug use, same-sex relationships, and HIV non-disclosure.
  • UNAIDS calls for protecting the right to healthcare by guaranteeing confidentiality, training healthcare workers, ending mandatory HIV testing, and providing compassionate care.
  • UNAIDS advocates for community-led responses, increased funding for organizations led by people living with HIV, and meaningful participation in policymaking.
World Day of Fight Against Sexual Exploitation observed on March 4 (Start of March) ▼
  • World Day of Fight Against Sexual Exploitation has been observed every March 4 since 2009.
  • It was created to raise awareness of a global issue that disproportionately affects women and children.
  • Sexual exploitation is classified as a form of modern slavery and a crime against humanity.
  • According to a 2016 report by the International Labor Organization (ILO), 5 million people worldwide were victims of forced sexual exploitation.
  • UNICEF reports that over 3 million children globally are affected by prostitution.

Nowruz 2026 observed in Iran amid fourth week of Iran-Israel-US war

Key Updates:

  • Nowruz, the Persian New Year rooted in Zoroastrianism, marks the spring equinox and was celebrated on 21 March 2026.
  • United Nations (UN) recognises 21 March as International Nowruz Day and UNESCO lists Nowruz as intangible cultural heritage.
  • The Haft-Seen table displays seven items beginning with Persian letter 'S': sabzeh, seeb, serkeh, samanu, senjed, sekkeh, seer.
  • Chaharshanbe Suri, a fire-jumping purification rite, is observed on the eve of Nowruz.
  • In 2026 the Iran-Israel-US war entered its fourth week, killing thousands including civilians and wrecking infrastructure.
  • Nowruz 2026 coincided with the closing days of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, adding complexity to state and private observances.

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Rotaract Festival scheduled for March 14 in Uganda (Mid of March) ▼
  • The Rotaract Festival is scheduled to take place on March 14 at the Legends Rugby Grounds to mobilise resources for community development projects.
  • The event marks the conclusion of the annual Rotaract Week, which is observed from March 9 to March 14.
  • Geoffrey Martin Kitakule serves as the District Governor of Rotary District 9213.
  • Rotaract is a global youth leadership programme operating under the aegis of Rotary International.
  • The organisation adheres to the official motto Service Above Self.
  • Rotaract clubs in Uganda support community initiatives in sectors including health, education, environmental conservation, and youth empowerment.
Global Tourism Resilience Day observed on February 17 (Mid of February) ▼
  • Global Tourism Resilience Day is observed annually on February 17.
  • The day was established by a United Nations General Assembly resolution led by Jamaica and first celebrated on February 17, 2023.
  • The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary-General praised Jamaica’s leadership in initiating the day.
  • Over 90 countries have supported the Global Tourism Resilience Day initiative.
United Nations observes World Interfaith Harmony Week from 1 to 7 February 2026 (Start of February) ▼
  • The World Interfaith Harmony Week is observed globally every year from 1 February to 7 February.
  • The week was designated by the United Nations (UN) to celebrate cooperation, understanding, and goodwill among people of all faiths and belief systems.
  • The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) organised an Interfaith Conclave in India as part of its initiatives to foster understanding and social cohesion.
  • The GPF conducted interfaith dialogues and service projects in Nigeria to promote the philosophy of One Family Under God.
  • The observance encourages activities that foster dialogue, collaborative action, and mutual respect among individuals of different traditions.
  • The initiative aims to build bridges of understanding across families, schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods to create resilient societies.
World Kidney Day 2026 observed on March 12 with theme 'Kidney Health for All — Caring for People, Protecting the Planet' (Mid of March) ▼
  • World Kidney Day 2026 is observed globally on March 12.
  • The 2026 theme is 'Kidney Health for All — Caring for People, Protecting the Planet'.
  • World Kidney Day is organised annually by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Society of Nephrology.

World Trade Organization forecasts global trade growth to slow to 1.4-1.9% in 2026 amid Middle East conflict risks

[World Trade Organization]

Key Updates:

  • World Trade Organization (WTO) forecasts global merchandise trade growth to slow to 1.9% in 2026 from 4.6% in 2025.
  • If crude oil and liquefied natural gas prices remain high throughout 2026 due to the Middle East conflict, global trade in goods could slow further to 1.4%.
  • A prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran would choke one-third of fertilizer urea imports, hitting major producers like India, Thailand, Brazil.
  • Trade in AI-enabling goods accounted for 42% of global trade growth in 2025 and increased by 21.9% year-on-year to $4.18 trillion.
  • Asia will lead merchandise import growth in 2026 with imports up 3.3% and exports up 3.5%, followed by Africa with 3.2% imports and 1.2% exports.
  • Around 72% of world trade is being conducted on a Most-Favoured-Nation basis, down from about 80% at the start of last year.

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Goldman Sachs raises India CY26 Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Growth Forecast to 6.9% (Start of February) ▼
  • Goldman Sachs has raised India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for calendar year 2026 by 20 basis points to 6.9 per cent.
  • The upward revision follows the United States (US) reducing reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from the previous 25 per cent.
  • The revised 18 per cent tariff rate aligns India with other Asian economies that face US tariff rates ranging between 15 per cent and 19 per cent.
  • India’s bilateral goods trade surplus with the US doubled from approximately $20 billion in CY2015 to about $40 billion in CY2025 year-to-date.
  • The expansion in trade surplus was primarily driven by higher surpluses in electronics, pharmaceutical products, and textiles.
  • American crude oil accounted for 7 per cent of India’s crude imports by volume in Financial Year 2026 (FY26) up to November 2025, compared to 4 per cent in FY25.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) upgrades 2026 global growth forecast to 3.3% (Mid of January) ▼
  • The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its 2026 global growth projection by 0.2 percentage points to 3.3%.
  • The IMF now assumes an effective U.S. tariff rate of 18.5 per cent, down from around 25 per cent in earlier estimates.
  • The IMF upgraded its U.S. growth forecast for 2026 to 2.4 per cent and trimmed the 2027 outlook to 2.0 per cent.
  • Spain’s 2026 forecast was raised to 2.3 per cent, while Britain’s projection remained unchanged at 1.3 per cent.
  • China’s 2026 growth forecast was lifted to 4.5 per cent, below its stronger-than-expected 5 per cent performance in 2025.
  • The euro zone 2026 projection was lifted to 1.3 per cent, driven by higher public spending in Germany and better performance in Spain and Ireland.
  • Brazil’s 2026 forecast was cut to 1.6 per cent as tighter monetary policy weighs on growth.
  • Global inflation is expected to ease from 4.1 per cent in 2025 to 3.8 per cent in 2026 and 3.4 per cent in 2027.
United Nations (UN) upgrades India's 2026 GDP growth forecast to 6.6% and projects 6.7% for 2027. (Start of January) ▼
  • The UN has raised India's 2026 GDP growth projection to 6.6% from the earlier 6.4%.
  • India's GDP is forecast to grow 6.7% in 2027.
  • India's GDP is expected to expand 7.4% in 2025.
  • Inflation in India is forecast at 4.1% in 2026.
  • On a financial year basis, India's economy is estimated to grow 7.2% in 2025-26 and 6.6% in 2026-27.
  • The US has imposed a 50% tariff on India, including a 25% penalty for importing Russian oil.
  • The US accounts for around 18% of India's exports.
  • Globally, GDP growth is projected at 2.7% in 2026, marginally lower than the estimated 2.8% for 2025.
  • The US economy is anticipated to grow 1.9% in 2025 and 2% in 2026.
  • China's growth is forecast at 4.9% in 2025 and 4.6% in 2026.
Government of India (GoI) Projects 7.4% GDP Growth for FY26 (Start of January) ▼
  • The Government of India (GoI) projects the real GDP growth at 7.4% for fiscal year 2025–26, exceeding the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) expectation of 7.3%.
  • Nominal GDP growth is estimated at 8% for the current fiscal year, compared to 9.7% recorded in the previous year.
  • India’s GDP growth accelerated to a six-quarter high of 8.2% in the second quarter of FY26, following a 7.8% expansion in the April–June quarter.
  • Real Gross Value Added (GVA) is expected to expand by 7.3% in FY26, an increase from 6.4% in FY25.
  • Nominal GVA is projected to grow at 7.7% in the current fiscal, down from the 9.3% growth recorded in the previous financial year.
  • Government spending is estimated to rise by 5.2% in fiscal 2025-26, compared to a 2.3% increase in the previous year.
  • Manufacturing and construction sectors are both estimated to achieve a growth rate of 7.0% at constant prices in FY 2025-26.
  • The agriculture and allied sector is estimated to grow by 3.1% during FY26, down from the 4.6% growth witnessed in FY24.

Lancet Study Links Climate Change to Rising Physical Inactivity and Premature Deaths by 2050

Key Updates:

  • A study titled Effects of climate change on physical inactivity: a panel data study across 156 countries from 2000 to 2022 was published in The Lancet Global Health.
  • The research estimates that climate-driven physical inactivity could lead to 0.47 to 0.70 million additional premature deaths annually by 2050.
  • Economic productivity losses due to heat-induced sedentary lifestyles are projected to reach up to $3.68 billion by 2050.
  • The study found that every additional month with an average temperature exceeding 27.8 degrees Celsius increases global physical inactivity by 1.44 percentage points.
  • In low- and middle-income countries, the increase in inactivity due to temperatures above the 27.8 degrees Celsius threshold is higher at 1.85 percentage points.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends adults aged 18 to 64 perform 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week.
  • Global data from 2022 indicates that 31 percent of adults already fail to meet the WHO physical activity recommendations.
  • By 2050, global physical inactivity is projected to rise by 1 to 1.75 percentage points due to heat alone under various emission scenarios.
  • The study identifies Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific, and the Eastern Mediterranean as the primary hotspots for climate-driven inactivity.
  • In India, the mortality rate specifically linked to physical inactivity is projected to reach approximately 10.62 deaths per 100,000 population by 2050.
  • Proposed policy interventions include increasing urban green spaces, developing cooling infrastructure, and adjusting work or school schedules to avoid peak heat hours.

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Study warns of surging metabolic diseases in Asia-Pacific region (Start of March) ▼
  • A study published in the journal Metabolism, based on Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 data, warns of rapidly rising metabolic diseases across the Asia-Pacific.
  • High blood pressure is the largest disease burden in the region, responsible for over 6.2 million deaths and 138 million years of healthy life lost in 2023.
  • Approximately 310 million people in the Asia-Pacific live with type-2 diabetes, resulting in more than 1.1 million deaths last year.
  • In India, type-2 diabetes accounted for over 21 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and nearly 5.8 lakh deaths in 2023.
  • Obesity was linked to around 55 million DALYs and approximately 1.3 million deaths across the region in 2023.
  • India, China, and Indonesia carry the largest shares of the metabolic disease burden in the region.
  • The burden of metabolic conditions has grown between 1.7 and nearly four times across different diseases since 1990.
  • Most metabolic risks are projected to continue rising across the Asia-Pacific region until at least 2030.
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 Day for Glaciers 2026: Leaders push for urgent action as global ice loss accelerates

Key Updates:

  • 21 March 2026 is observed as the World Day for Glaciers, concluding a 12-month international campaign to strengthen glacier protection policies.
  • Glaciers store 70% of the planet’s freshwater and supply seasonal meltwater to billions of people.
  • Germany’s last four glaciers lost over 25% of their area between 2024 and 2026, according to geographer Wilfried Hagg and glaciologist Christoph Mayer.
  • Scientists stress that stabilising global temperatures below 1.5°C is crucial to slow ice loss.
  • Himalayan nations and Arctic communities are advocating for climate financing to mitigate flooding risks and preserve freshwater systems.

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International Polar Bear Day observed on 27 February (End of February) ▼
  • International Polar Bear Day is observed every year on 27 February.
  • The day was launched by Polar Bears International (PBI) and is now in its 21st year.
  • The overall objective is to bring attention to polar bears and the importance of conserving their Arctic sea ice home.
  • The public can join a live scientist chat on PBI’s Facebook page at 12 p.m. ET on the day.
  • The Polar Bear Tracker allows users to follow specific bears moving along Hudson Bay, including female X33991 who adopted a cub this winter.
  • PBI’s Northern Lights Cam, in collaboration with explore.org and the Churchill Northern Studies Center in Churchill, Canada, streams year-round and offers optimal aurora viewing in February and March.

International Day of Forests 2026 observed with theme Forests and Economies

Key Updates:

  • The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared March 21 as the International Day of Forests in 2012 to raise awareness about the importance of forest ecosystems.
  • The theme for the International Day of Forests 2026 is Forests and Economies, focusing on the role of forests in supporting livelihoods and driving economic prosperity.
  • According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), more than 1.6 billion people globally depend on forests for subsistence, income, or employment.
  • The forest sector provides at least 13 million formal jobs and approximately 45 to 50 million jobs in informal and small-scale forest-based enterprises.
  • Mukurthi National Park, which comprises grasslands and the Shola ecosystem, is considered the heart of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in India.
  • Forests contribute to a sustainable bioeconomy by offering nature-based alternatives to carbon-intensive materials and protecting watersheds.
  • The 2026 observance aims to place forests at the centre of resilient and long-term economic planning across sectors.

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India submits 7th National Biodiversity Report; only 2 of 23 targets on track for 2030 (Start of March) ▼
  • India submitted its 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on 05 Mar 2026.
  • Only two of the 23 national biodiversity targets—NBT1 (biodiversity-inclusive land and sea-use planning) and NBT2 (ecosystem restoration)—are clearly on track for 2030.
  • Forest and tree cover totals 827,357 sq km, 25.17% of India’s geographical area, and rose by 1,445.81 sq km between 2021 and 2023.
  • 24.1 million hectares of degraded land have been restored or are under restoration against India’s 2030 Bonn Challenge pledge of 26 million hectares.
  • India’s tiger population stands at 3,167; Asiatic lion and one-horned rhinoceros numbers are also increasing.
  • Formal protected areas cover a little over 5% of India’s geographical area; marine protected areas and OECM sites are being expanded.
  • The report was prepared by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) with inputs from 33 central ministries and technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
  • Forest carbon stock increased to 7,285.5 million tonnes, up by 81.5 million tonnes from the previous assessment.
  • Agroforestry occupies 8.65% of India’s geographical area and trees outside forests form a significant share of total tree cover.
  • Data gaps, differing collection intervals, and limited protocols for newer indicators hinder consistent biodiversity monitoring.
UN proclaims 1 March as World Seagrass Day to spotlight conservation (Start of March) ▼
  • The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/76/265 in May 2022 proclaiming 1 March as World Seagrass Day.
  • Seagrasses cover only 0.1% of the ocean floor yet store up to 18% of the world’s oceanic carbon.
  • Seagrass meadows exist in 159 countries across six continents and cover over 300,000 km².
  • Almost 30% of global seagrass area has been lost since the late nineteenth century.
  • At least 22 of the world’s 72 seagrass species are in decline.
  • Conserving and restoring seagrass meadows can help countries achieve 26 targets and indicators linked to ten Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Only about a quarter of all seagrass meadows fall within marine protected areas.
United Nations (UN) releases State of Finance for Nature 2026 report (End of January) ▼
  • The United Nations (UN) released the State of Finance for Nature 2026 report on 22 January 2026.
  • The report finds that for every $1 invested in protecting nature, $30 is spent on activities that destroy it.
  • Global nature-negative finance flows are estimated at $7 trillion, while nature-positive finance flows amount to $200 billion.
  • Environmentally harmful subsidies are concentrated in sectors including fossil fuels, agriculture, water, transport, and construction.
  • The data identifies utilities, industrials, energy, and basic materials as sectors where environmental damage is particularly significant.
  • The report advocates for scaling up nature-positive investments such as regenerative agriculture, sustainable forestry, and nature-based infrastructure.
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Proclaims 2026 as International Year for Rangelands, Volunteers, and Women Farmers (Start of January) ▼
  • The United Nations (UN) declared 2026 as the 'International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP)' to highlight ecosystems that cover about half the world’s land.
  • Through Resolution 78/127, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 2026 as the 'International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY)'.
  • The United Nations (UN) declared 2026 the 'International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026)' to spotlight roles in agrifood systems.
  • The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared the first-ever 'United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport' to run from 2026 to 2035.
  • The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reported a 'historic 10% decline in freedom of expression globally between 2012 and 2024'.
  • The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released the 'Global Environment Outlook, Seventh Edition: A Future We Choose (GEO-7)' on 9 December 2025, involving 287 scientists from 82 countries.
  • Slovenia, acting as President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for December 2025, held an open debate on 'Leadership for peace' on 15 December 2025.
  • The Republic of Sierra Leone, as President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for November 2025, held a briefing on 18 November 2025 regarding 'Enhancing regional counter-terrorism cooperation in West Africa and the Sahel'.
  • The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released a new safety guide titled 'Monitoring for Protection of the Public and the Environment' to help countries design radiation monitoring programmes.
  • The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/79/137 proclaiming 'World Meditation Day'.
  • The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) launched a database compiling national laws and decrees governing meteorology and hydrology across all member nations.
  • The World Bank released the 'World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development' to assess how standards accelerate economic development.

Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh (CUUP) launches Centre of Excellence in Smart Healthcare

Key Updates:

  • Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh (CUUP) inaugurated the Centre of Excellence in Smart Healthcare at its Unnao campus.
  • The centre is powered by 168 GB GPU memory using NVIDIA Blackwell Architecture.
  • CUUP will train 1.5 lakh Uttar Pradesh youth in responsible AI use within five years through its AI Ethics Training Program launched with upGrad.
  • The CoE will assist five AI startups in the next two years.
  • Short-term goals include research collaboration with hospitals, validation of models, research projects and publications.
  • Focus areas include medical imaging and diagnostics for X-rays, MRIs and CT scans, predictive analytics, precision medicine and large healthcare datasets.
  • CUUP hosted a national symposium on 'AI in Governance: Policy, Practice and People-Centric Transformation' with panel discussions on AI use cases in government and roadmap for AI-enabled governance.

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IIT-Guwahati (IIT-G) partners with Coventry University Group (CUG) for AI in healthcare (Start of March) ▼
  • The Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IIT-G) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Coventry University Group (CUG), UK, to strengthen global research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and healthcare.
  • The strategic partnership aims to expand research collaboration, support academic mobility, and enable joint degree initiatives between the two institutions.
  • The collaboration is structured around academic and research mobility, including short-term faculty and student exchanges.
  • The agreement includes the establishment of joint doctoral programmes featuring a dual-award PhD under a joint supervision framework.
  • The partnership focuses on AI for One Health, which aligns with the National AI Mission of India.
  • The MoU was formalised during a visit to IIT-G by a delegation from CUG led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Richard Dashwood.
Google, MSDE, and CCSU collaborate to establish AI-enabled university in India (End of January) ▼
  • The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU), and Google announced a collaboration to establish an AI-enabled university in India.
  • A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Google, MSDE, and CCSU to support capacity building and AI-focused education initiatives during the AI Impact Summit 2026.
  • Google introduced AI-powered Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main practice tests through its Gemini AI platform, allowing students to personalise difficulty levels and receive interactive explanations.
  • The Gemini AI Academy was launched to assist educators in creating lesson plans and quizzes, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
  • Google is deploying SynthID to identify AI-generated content and integrating Gemini into Google Classroom to provide AI-assisted feedback and usage insights.
  • Google Workspace Studio was introduced to allow the creation of no-code AI agents for classroom and administrative workflows.
  • Wadhwani AI, supported by Google.org, announced an expansion of its AI-for-Education initiatives to reach 75 million students and 1.8 million educators by December 2027.
Govt Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) starts state’s first government AI clinic in Noida (Start of January) ▼
  • Govt Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Kasna has launched a clinic that will use artificial intelligence and genetic screening to detect and treat serious diseases such as cancer and heart, kidney and liver ailments at an early stage.
  • Officials said it is UP's first AI-powered govt clinic within a govt hospital.
  • The clinic will use artificial intelligence along with genetic screening to analyse diagnostic inputs, including blood tests, imaging scans and other clinical data.
  • AI tools will also be used to analyse X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRI reports and laboratory investigations, particularly for critically ill patients.
  • According to doctors at GIMS, the use of robotics combined with AI can improve surgical precision across multiple specialities, including abdominal, orthopaedic, neurological and cardiac procedures.
  • The AI clinic was inaugurated online by the additional director general of health services (ADGHS), govt of India.
India launches world’s first doctor-led AI healthcare ecosystem iLive Connect (Start of February) ▼
  • iLive Connect is the world’s first doctor-led, AI-powered healthcare ecosystem providing 24/7 home medical monitoring.
  • Developed by cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Rahul Chandola and senior interventional cardiologist Dr Viveka Kumar.
  • System uses FDA- and CE-approved wearable biosensor patch on chest and wristband to track two-lead ECG, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, body temperature, blood pressure trends, physical activity, and heart rate variability.
  • Data transmitted to secure cloud platform monitored round-the-clock by specialised doctors at central medical command centre.
  • Doctors alert patient and family within two minutes at first sign of harmful physiological change and provide immediate medical guidance.
  • 10-week observational study of 410 patients showed 76% reduction in hospital readmissions with early detection of cardiac, metabolic, and post-discharge complications.
  • Technology especially beneficial for senior citizens, high-risk patients, elderly living alone, and recently discharged patients.

World Water Day 2026: Water and Gender

Key Updates:

  • World Water Day 2026 is observed on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
  • The official theme for 2026 is 'Water and Gender' with the campaign slogan 'Where water flows, equality grows'.
  • World Water Day was first observed on Monday, March 22, 1993, following United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/47/193 adopted on December 22, 1992.
  • UN-Water is the coordinating body for World Water Day, with UNICEF and UN Women as the 2026 campaign co-leads.
  • The UN World Water Development Report 2026, titled 'Water for all people: Equal rights and opportunities', was launched on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
  • 2.2 billion people — approximately 27% of the global population — lack access to safely managed drinking water.
  • Women and girls spend an estimated 200 million hours per day collectively collecting water.
  • Women hold fewer than 20% of leadership roles in the water sector across most regions.
  • WASH stands for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene.
  • SDG 6 calls for universal access to safe and affordable drinking water and adequate sanitation for all by 2030.

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International Day of Action for Rivers 2026 observed on March 14 with theme 'Protect Rivers, Protect People' (Mid of March) ▼
  • International Day of Action for Rivers is celebrated annually on March 14.
  • The 2026 theme is 'Protect Rivers, Protect People'.
  • The day was first observed in 1997 after a global meeting in Curitiba, Brazil, where representatives from 20 countries decided March 14 would be the official day.
  • Saudi Arabia is the only country without a single flowing river due to its desert climate and low rainfall.
  • Saudi Arabia produces around 70 per cent of its drinking water through desalination and underground sources.
Kaveh Madani won 2026 Stockholm Water Prize. (End of March) ▼
  • Kaveh Madani received the 2026 Stockholm Water Prize from the Stockholm Water Foundation and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
  • Madani is the 44-year-old Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health in Ontario.
  • The award citation recognised his groundbreaking research on water resources management with policy, diplomacy and global outreach under personal risk and political complexity.
  • He will be presented the prize by H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden in August 2026.
  • Madani coined the concept of ‘water bankruptcy’ and co-authored the 2026 UN Report declaring a ‘Global Water Bankruptcy’ era.
  • Earlier Indian recipients include Rajendra Singh of Tarun Bharat Sangh in 2015 and the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in 2005.
World Kidney Day 2026 observed on March 12 with theme 'Kidney Health for All — Caring for People, Protecting the Planet' (Mid of March) ▼
  • World Kidney Day 2026 is observed globally on March 12.
  • The 2026 theme is 'Kidney Health for All — Caring for People, Protecting the Planet'.
  • World Kidney Day is organised annually by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Society of Nephrology.
World Wetlands Day 2026 observed on February 2 (Start of February) ▼
  • World Wetlands Day is observed every year on February 2.
  • The first World Wetlands Day was celebrated in 1997.
  • It has been a United Nations (UN) International Day since 2022.
  • The Convention on Wetlands was signed on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
  • The official theme for World Wetlands Day 2026 is 'Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage'.

World Puppetry Day celebrated on March 21

Key Updates:

  • World Puppetry Day is celebrated on March 21 every year.
  • The idea for the day was proposed by Iranian puppet theatre artist Javad Zolfaghari during the 18th Congress of the Union Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA) in 2000.
  • UNIMA approved March 21 as the official date at its council meeting in Atlanta in 2002.
  • The first official World Puppetry Day took place on March 21, 2003.
  • UNIMA, founded in Prague in 1929, is the world’s oldest international theatre organisation.

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Department of Posts (DoP) Releases Puppets of India Commemorative Stamp Series (Mid of February) ▼
  • The Department of Posts (DoP) issued a special set of eight commemorative postage stamps titled Puppets of India on 13 February 2026 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
  • The stamps were formally released by Ms. Vandita Kaul, Secretary (Posts), to honour the master puppeteers and the diverse puppetry heritage of India.
  • The commemorative set features eight regional traditions: Kathputli (Rajasthan), Yakshagana Sutrada Gombeyatta (Karnataka), Daanger Putul (West Bengal), Kathi Kundhei (Odisha), Benir Putul (West Bengal), Pavakathakali (Kerala), Ravanachhaya (Odisha), and Tolu Bommalatta (Andhra Pradesh).
  • The denomination of each stamp in the set is 500 paise (₹5), with the complete set comprising eight stamps.
  • The stamp set and associated philatelic products were designed by Shri Sankha Samanta with artistic and textual inputs from Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) and Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).
  • The stamps are available at Philatelic Bureaus across the country and through the official online portal www.epostoffice.gov.in.
Rotaract Festival scheduled for March 14 in Uganda (Mid of March) ▼
  • The Rotaract Festival is scheduled to take place on March 14 at the Legends Rugby Grounds to mobilise resources for community development projects.
  • The event marks the conclusion of the annual Rotaract Week, which is observed from March 9 to March 14.
  • Geoffrey Martin Kitakule serves as the District Governor of Rotary District 9213.
  • Rotaract is a global youth leadership programme operating under the aegis of Rotary International.
  • The organisation adheres to the official motto Service Above Self.
  • Rotaract clubs in Uganda support community initiatives in sectors including health, education, environmental conservation, and youth empowerment.
12th Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY) held from 28 January to 3 February 2026 (End of January) ▼
  • SIFFCY 2026, organised by Smile Foundation in partnership with Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) and Delegation of the European Union to India, runs from 28 January to 3 February 2026.
  • The festival theme is Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility through cinema.
  • SIFFCY 2026 presents the ECFA Award, CIFEJ Award and FCCI Award.
  • Finnish Ambassador Kimmo Lähdevirta announced the first SIFFCY screening of Moomins as part of their 80th anniversary celebrations.
  • Estonian Ambassador Marje Luup highlighted Estonia’s participation with six short films made by children, including Ukrainian refugee children.
World Pangolin Day 2026 highlights 500,000+ pangolins seized globally between 2016 and 2024 (End of February) ▼
  • World Pangolin Day 2026 was marked by release of a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) report.
  • The CITES report recorded 2,222 seizures of pangolins and their parts in 49 countries involving an estimated 553,042 pangolins during 2016-2024.
  • China and Viet Nam were the main alleged destinations for illegally traded pangolin parts.
  • India is home to two of the eight recognised pangolin species: Indian pangolin and Chinese pangolin.
  • India did not provide data for the 2025 CITES reporting cycle.

Martial artist and actor Chuck Norris passes away at age 86

Key Updates:

  • Chuck Norris, born Carlos Ray Norris on 10 March 1940, was a six-time undefeated World Professional Middleweight Karate champion.
  • He served in the United States Air Force (USAF) during the Korean War, where he began practicing martial arts.
  • He founded a Korean-based American hard style of karate known as Chun Kuk Do and the United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF).
  • The UFAF has awarded more than 3,300 Chuck Norris System black belts worldwide.
  • He made his film debut in 1968 and starred alongside Bruce Lee in the 1972 film The Way of the Dragon.
  • He played the title role in the television series Walker, Texas Ranger, which aired on the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) for eight years.
  • In 2010, he was named an honorary Texas Ranger by then-Governor Rick Perry and was later named an honorary Texan by the Texas Senate.

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Phil Campbell, Motörhead guitarist, dies aged 64. (Mid of March) ▼
  • Phil Campbell passed away peacefully at the age of 64 after a long stay in intensive care following a complex major operation.
  • He served as the guitarist for the heavy-metal band Motörhead from 1984 until the group disbanded in 2015 after frontman Lemmy Kilmister’s death.
  • Born in Pontypridd, Wales, Campbell recently performed a sell-out show with his own band at the Muni arts centre in his hometown.
  • Motörhead described him as a wonderful guitarist and performer who carried a great sense of humour and led with his heart.
Ira 'Ike' Schab, WWII Navy veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor, died at 105. (End of December) ▼
  • Ira 'Ike' Schab, one of the last remaining survivors of the 1941 Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, died at home in Beaverton, Oregon.
  • He was a 21-year-old sailor aboard the USS Dobbin during the attack and helped feed ammunition to an anti-aircraft gun.
  • After the war, Schab worked as an electrical engineer for General Dynamics on the Apollo spaceflight program.
  • He regularly attended Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremonies to honor those who did not survive.
Robert Duvall passed away at age 95. (Mid of February) ▼
  • Robert Duvall died at his home on Sunday, as announced by his wife Luciana Duvall on Monday.
  • He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the 1983 film 'Tender Mercies'.
  • Duvall portrayed Tom Hagen in 'The Godfather' and 'The Godfather Part II'.
  • He received a total of seven Oscar nominations throughout his career.
  • His debut film appearance was as Boo Radley in the 1962 adaptation of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.
  • He played Lt. Col. Kilgore in 'Apocalypse Now', a role that earned him an Oscar nomination.
  • Duvall starred as Gus McCrae in the 1989 TV miniseries 'Lonesome Dove', which he called his favorite role.
  • He directed and starred in 'The Apostle', which earned him his fifth Oscar nomination.
Brazilian Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Fighter Pablo Oliveira Costa Passes Away at 31 (Mid of February) ▼
  • Brazilian MMA fighter Pablo Oliveira Costa passed away at the age of 31 in São José.
  • The death occurred due to an electrocution accident involving a metal ladder and a high-voltage power line while he was installing an air-conditioning unit.
  • Costa competed in amateur and semi-professional bouts in Muay Thai, MMA, and Jiu-Jitsu, and had previously won a champion's trophy in Jiu-Jitsu.
  • His coach, Mateus Nascimento, stated that Costa was being prepared for a professional career in combat sports prior to the accident.
  • His wake was held on 7 February 2026 in São José.

Eid Al-Fitr 2026 expected around March 20

Key Updates:

  • Eid Al-Fitr 2026 is expected to be celebrated around March 20, 2026, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon that marks the beginning of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic Hijri calendar.
  • The first Eid Al-Fitr celebration is believed to have taken place in 624 AD and is associated with the Prophet Muhammad after the Battle of Badr.
  • Saudi Arabia announced a four-day holiday for private and non-profit sectors for Eid Al-Fitr 2026.

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Gudi Padwa 2026 celebrated on March 19 (Mid of March) ▼
  • 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.
Veer Bal Diwas observed on December 26 (End of December) ▼
  • Veer Bal Diwas is observed every year on December 26 to remember and honour the extraordinary courage and supreme sacrifice of the four Sahibzadas, the sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in 2022 that December 26 would be observed annually as Veer Bal Diwas.
  • The Ministry of Women and Child Development observes Veer Bal Diwas at the national level and confers the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar on the same day.
United Nations observes World Interfaith Harmony Week from 1 to 7 February 2026 (Start of February) ▼
  • The World Interfaith Harmony Week is observed globally every year from 1 February to 7 February.
  • The week was designated by the United Nations (UN) to celebrate cooperation, understanding, and goodwill among people of all faiths and belief systems.
  • The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) organised an Interfaith Conclave in India as part of its initiatives to foster understanding and social cohesion.
  • The GPF conducted interfaith dialogues and service projects in Nigeria to promote the philosophy of One Family Under God.
  • The observance encourages activities that foster dialogue, collaborative action, and mutual respect among individuals of different traditions.
  • The initiative aims to build bridges of understanding across families, schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods to create resilient societies.
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.

Forbes World’s Billionaires List released on March 12, 2026

Key Updates:

  • The 40th annual edition of the Forbes World’s Billionaires list was released on March 12, 2026, identifying a record 3,428 billionaires globally.
  • Elon Musk retained the top spot with a fortune of $839 billion, becoming the first individual to cross the $800 billion wealth mark.
  • The total wealth controlled by billionaires worldwide increased to $20.1 trillion in 2026 from $16.1 trillion in 2025.
  • The United States (US) leads the global billionaire count with 989 individuals, followed by China with 539 and India with 229.
  • Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Industries (RIL) remains the richest person in India and Asia, while Savitri Jindal of the OP Jindal Group is the wealthiest woman in India.
  • The top five richest individuals globally are Elon Musk, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg.
  • A total of 20 individuals now possess fortunes exceeding $100 billion, an increase from 15 individuals recorded in 2025.
  • New additions to the list include Greg Abel, the future Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Berkshire Hathaway, and tennis legend Roger Federer.
  • India’s 10 wealthiest individuals hold a combined fortune of approximately $368 billion, accounting for over one-third of the total wealth of Indian billionaires.
  • The 2026 rankings included 20 Indian women billionaires, with Savitri Jindal leading the group.

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Elon Musk Surpasses $800 Billion Net Worth Following SpaceX-xAI Merger (Start of February) ▼
  • Tesla CEO Elon Musk has become the first person in history to surpass a net worth of $800 billion, reaching a total of $852 billion.
  • The wealth surge followed the merger of his rocket company SpaceX and artificial intelligence company xAI, valuing the combined entity at $1.25 trillion.
  • Musk holds a 43% stake in the newly combined SpaceX-xAI entity, which is estimated to be worth $542 billion.
  • Prior to the merger, Musk held a 42% stake in SpaceX valued at $336 billion and a 49% stake in xAI worth $122 billion.
  • Musk owns approximately 12% stake in Tesla valued at $178 billion, along with stock options worth $124 billion.
  • A previous merger in March 2025 combined xAI and social media platform X, valuing xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion.
  • Musk reached the $500 billion milestone in October 2025, $600 billion on 15 December 2025, and $700 billion on 19 December 2025.
  • India link not mentioned in the article.
Elon Musk Ranked Wealthiest in Hurun Global Rich List 2026; Mukesh Ambani Named Richest Person in Asia (Start of March) ▼
  • Elon Musk, aged 54, was ranked the wealthiest person in the world with a net worth of US$792 billion, followed by Jeff Bezos of Amazon (US$300 billion) and Larry Page of Alphabet (US$271 billion).
  • Larry Ellison of Oracle (US$267 billion) and Sergey Brin (US$247 billion) were ranked fourth and fifth, followed by Mark Zuckerberg of Meta (US$234 billion), Bernard Arnault of LVMH (US$178 billion), and Warren Buffett (US$173 billion).
  • Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) was named the richest person in Asia with a wealth of US$109 billion, while Gautam Adani ranked second in India with US$83 billion.
  • Cyrus Poonawalla of the Serum Institute of India (SII) recorded a wealth of US$33 billion, followed by Lakshmi N Mittal (US$25 billion), Niraj Bajaj of Bajaj Auto (US$24 billion), and Anil Agarwal (US$18 billion).
  • Uday Kotak was ranked with a wealth of US$16 billion, while new Indian billionaires included Shahid Bilakhia of Meril Life Science (US$6.2 billion) and Basant Bansal of M3M India (US$4.6 billion).
  • Other Indian entrants were Madhusudhan Agarwal (US$4.3 billion) and Rajendrakumar Agrawal (US$3.8 billion) of Haldirams, Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari of Physics Wallah (US$1.7 billion each), Ritesh Agarwal of OYO (US$1.6 billion), and actor Shah Rukh Khan (US$1.3 billion).
  • Jensen Huang of Nvidia entered the global top 10 for the first time with US$172 billion, while Steve Ballmer rounded out the top 10 with US$159 billion.
  • Bill Gates dropped out of the top 10 after donating US$20 billion to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), while the report recorded the deaths of Wang Linpeng (56), Shao Genhuo (60), Henri Beaufour (60), James Irsay (65), David Murdock (102), and S. Daniel Abraham (100).
Delaware Supreme Court Overturns Ruling Increasing Elon Musk Net Worth to $749 Billion (End of December) ▼
  • Tesla CEO Elon Musk became the first person to cross the $700 billion mark, reaching a record net worth of $749 billion.
  • The Delaware Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that had voided Tesla stock options worth $139 billion.
  • Musk owns 12 per cent of Tesla common stock worth $199 billion, bringing his total Tesla holdings to $338 billion.
  • Musk holds a 42 per cent stake in SpaceX, which is targeting an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2026 with a valuation of $1.5 trillion.
  • Google co-founder Larry Page is the second-richest person in the world with an estimated net worth of $253 billion.
  • Tesla awarded Musk a separate pay package in November that could provide up to $1 trillion in additional stock if performance milestones are met.
Hurun Research Institute ranks India third globally with 308 billionaires in 2026. (Start of March) ▼
  • India’s billionaire count rose to 308, an increase of 24 from the previous year, according to the Hurun Global Rich List 2026.
  • Indian billionaires added 57 new entrants and saw 27 drop out during the year.
  • Total wealth of Indian billionaires grew 10% year-on-year to ₹112.6 trillion.
  • Mukesh Ambani retained his position as India and Asia’s richest person with a net worth of ₹9.8 trillion, up 9%.
  • Gautam Adani remained the second richest Indian despite a 14% decline in wealth to ₹7.5 trillion.
  • Roshni Nadar Malhotra, chairperson of HCL Technologies, was third with wealth of ₹3.2 trillion and the only woman among India’s top 10 richest.
  • Healthcare sector produced 53 new billionaires, industrial products 36, and consumer goods 31.
  • Energy sector, with eight billionaires, accounted for ₹18.3 trillion or about 16% of India’s cumulative billionaire wealth.
  • Cyrus S Poonawalla of Serum Institute of India added nearly ₹0.91 trillion, the largest absolute gain.
  • Mumbai hosts 95 billionaires, adding 15 new entrants, but lost its status as Asia’s billionaire capital to Shenzhen which has 133.
  • India’s youngest billionaire is Ritesh Agarwal, founder of Oyo, aged 32 with net worth of ₹14,440 crore.
  • 23 Indian women billionaires collectively hold wealth of ₹9.8 trillion.

N Chandrasekaran conferred honorary knighthood by UK

[United Kingdom]

Key Updates:

  • N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Group, was awarded the honorary knighthood of Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) by the British government.
  • The honour was conferred at a ceremony held at the residence of British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron, who presented it on behalf of King Charles III.
  • Tata Group operates 19 subsidiaries in the UK across automotive, steel, technology, and consumer goods sectors and employs over 70,000 people there.
  • Chandrasekaran credited the honour to his colleagues and highlighted Tata Group’s investments in JLR’s all-electric transition, advanced manufacturing, green steel, and innovation initiatives.

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Jawed Ashraf received Commandeur de la Légion d’Honneur (End of March) ▼
  • France conferred the Commandeur de la Légion d’Honneur on former Indian ambassador to France Jawed Ashraf for strengthening bilateral relations.
  • Ashraf served as Indian envoy to France during 2020-2024 and joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1991.
  • He was presented the award by French ambassador Thierry Mathou at the French embassy on a Wednesday.
  • After retirement in 2024 Ashraf was appointed chairman of the Indian Trade Promotion Organisation.
  • During his tenure India purchased 36 Rafale combat jets and advanced joint defence manufacturing with France.
  • Ashraf is the first Indian diplomat and the eighth Indian overall to receive the Commander rank of the Legion of Honour.
Uday Kotak appointed chairman of Gujarat International Finance Tec-City Company Ltd (GIFT City). (Mid of February) ▼
  • The Gujarat government appointed Uday Kotak as chairman of Gujarat International Finance Tec-City Company Ltd (GIFT City).
  • Uday Kotak is the founder of Kotak Mahindra Bank.
  • He chaired the 2017 SEBI Committee on Corporate Governance that recommended sweeping governance reforms.
Shashi Tharoor received honorary Doctor of Letters from St Xavier's University. (End of February) ▼
  • Shashi Tharoor was conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters by St Xavier's University at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre.
  • This was Tharoor's first honorary doctorate in India.
  • Tharoor had earlier served as a convocation speaker at the university.
  • He highlighted the role of women in academics and urged students to embrace civic responsibility.
National Awards Policy: Prohibition of 'Padma Shri' and 'Bharat Ratna' as Titles (End of December) ▼
  • The Bombay High Court ruled that civilian awards such as 'Padma Shri' and 'Bharat Ratna' are not titles and cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the names of awardees.
  • The ruling follows a Supreme Court (SC) decision in Balaji Raghavan/SP Anand v. Union of India, which clarified that these awards do not fall under 'titles' as per Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India.
  • If an awardee uses these honors as a prefix or suffix, the defaulter should forfeit the National Award following the procedure laid down in Regulation 10 of the award notifications.
  • The court directed that all judicial proceedings must ensure compliance with this law as mandated by Article 141 of the Constitution of India.

International Day of La Francophonie and French Language Day observed on 20 March

[France]

Key Updates:

  • International Day of La Francophonie and French Language Day is observed on 20 March.
  • French brings together hundreds of millions of people around the world.
  • At the United Nations (UN), French is part of everyday life, shaping debates and work on the ground.

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International Mother Language Day 2026 observed on 21 February with theme 'Youth voices on multilingual education' (End of February) ▼
  • International Mother Language Day 2026 is observed on 21 February 2026.
  • UNESCO marks the day under the theme 'Youth voices on multilingual education'.
  • The observance reinforces UNESCO’s commitment through the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
  • Dr. Naga Lakshmi Chelluri, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Hyderabad, highlights the need to preserve ancient languages in a globalized multicultural world.
India and France inaugurate Indo-French Centre for AI in Health at AIIMS Delhi (Mid of February) ▼
  • Union Minister for Health JP Nadda and French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health (IF-CAIH) at AIIMS, New Delhi, on Wednesday.
  • The IF-CAIH has been established under a joint MoU between AIIMS, Sorbonne University, and Paris Brain Institute, with additional collaboration from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and other leading French institutions.
  • The launch coincided with the Rencontres Universitaires et Scientifiques de Haut Niveau (RUSH) 2026, held at AIIMS on February 18 and February 19, coordinated by the French Embassy.
  • President Macron emphasised that India and France are committed to developing computing capacity and talent to build trusted AI systems.
  • The initiative builds on ongoing India-France cooperation in Digital Health, Antimicrobial Resistance, Human Resources for Health, and responsible use of health data.
World Braille Day observed on January 4 (Start of January) ▼
  • World Braille Day marks the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, the French educator who developed the six-dot code that bears his name.
  • Braille is a tactile writing system of raised dots arranged in cells of six, enabling representation of letters, numbers, punctuation, and even musical and mathematical notation through touch.
  • India is home to one of the largest populations of visually impaired individuals in the world, with millions living with partial or complete vision loss.
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Gyan Bharatam Mission promote multilingual education and manuscript preservation (Start of January) ▼
  • National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes multilingual education.
  • Gyan Bharatam Mission, aimed at preserving and disseminating Indian manuscripts.
  • The Vice-President urged that technology must become an ally of languages, advocating: Digital archives and manuscript digitisation, AI-powered translation and speech technologies, Multilingual digital platforms for education and governance.
  • India’s Constitution, particularly the Eighth Schedule, he said, embodies ancient wisdom by affirming that national unity thrives on mutual respect, not uniformity.